Barack Obama actually said...

Marion was born a sharecropper's son, came of age during the civil rights movement, and became a fixture in DC politics for decades.

Through a storied, at times tumultuous life and career, he earned the love and respect of countless Washingtonians.

I just want to every single day be making this government work a little bit better for ordinary folks.

As a leader with the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, Marion helped advance the cause of civil rights for all.