[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 138 (Tuesday, August 4, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E723]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              HONORING THE LIFE OF CONGRESSMAN JOHN LEWIS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JOE NEGUSE

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, August 4, 2020

  Mr. NEGUSE. Madam Speaker, today I rise because the country has lost 
a true American hero. A giant whose sacrifices and relentless pursuit 
of equality paved the road for so many of us who stand here now.
  One of the greatest honors of my life was serving with Congressman 
Lewis. Occasionally, I'd have the privilege of walking with him to this 
very Chamber. Along the way, there wasn't a single Capitol employee 
whom he didn't greet effusively, and often by name. Put simply, he was 
a truly generous, humble and decent man.
  We find ourselves in times when we must struggle not only for the 
safety of our communities, but also the soul of our nation.
  But as Mr. Lewis said, ``Freedom is not a state; it is an act . . . 
it is the continuous action we all must take, and each generation must 
do its part to create an even more fair, more just society.''
  It is, indeed, difficult times like this for which we are made--times 
when we must embody the spirit and drive for freedom in every one of 
our actions.
  Our fight continues while Mr. Lewis has earned his rest, and we 
benefit always from his life-long example and the paths he forged for 
each of us.
  From an indebted nation, thank you to Mr. Lewis for his endearing 
spirit and example.

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