Sanford Bishop: “I am very saddened to hear Congressman Conyers passed away. He was a champion for racial equality and changed Congress…”

“I am very saddened to hear Congressman Conyers passed away. He was a champion for racial equality and changed Congress for the better by co-founding the Congressional Black Caucus. John was a powerful and effective legislator who never stopped fighting to improve our nation, which he served longer than any other black Member of Congress to date. His career helped pave the way for the thriving Black Caucus we now enjoy. John lived through many pivotal moments in our nation's history. When Rosa Parks struggled to find a job after her historic protest, John rushed to hire her. She worked in his district office for 23 years until her retirement. When Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated, John began to fight for a holiday to honor him 4 days after Dr. King's death. It took him 15 long years, but John kept pushing to honor King's memory and the battle for civil rights. Vivian and I send our condolences to his wife, children, and all loved ones as we keep them in our prayers in this difficult time.”