On the recordJuly 27, 2020
today marks the third day after a pretty emotional weekend for the folks of Alabama, for the folks of America. Earlier this afternoon, we had a ceremony in the Capitol Rotunda to pay our respects to the late John Robert Lewis, a true American hero. A native of Alabama, John grew up in the cotton fields of Pike County, AL, in Troy, to become one of the most influential Members of Congress and, perhaps, one of the most influential Americans this country has ever seen. He was a remarkable human being whose life and work are examples to us all. It is now up to us to carry on, to make ``good trouble,'' to fulfill the dream, the promise of a more equal and just nation. As a son of Troy, AL, John Lewis loved our country with all his heart, and he set out to make it a stronger, more democratic, more equal, more just nation for every person. To persevere toward that end in the face of the hate and violence he so often faced is a testament to the strength of both the character and the heart of John Lewis. John was a dear friend to my wife Louise and me, and we are both profoundly grateful to have had him in our lives. John's long life represented an unbroken thread from a very painful past to a more hopeful future. He gave us all reason to hope. More importantly, he gave us the courage to pursue the bright future we all want for ourselves and for our children and for our grandchildren.…
