Roy Cooper: “America lost a giant this week. John Seigenthaler, the longtime editor of the Nashville Tennesseean, was buried on…”

“America lost a giant this week. John Seigenthaler, the longtime editor of the Nashville Tennesseean, was buried on Monday, but his life transcended Nashville, Tennessee, and became literally a part of American history. Born to humble beginnings in Nashville, Tennessee, he was first a star reporter, then a confidant of Bobby Kennedy, then a defender of the Freedom Riders, then the crusading editor of a Pulitzer Prize- winning Southern newspaper, then founding editor of USA Today, and then the founder of the First Amendment Center at Vanderbilt University. John Seigenthaler had the Irish gift for friendship and words. He epitomized the best of journalism, and he was always on the right side of history because he helped everyone, including politicians, listen to the better angels of their nature. Because of John Seigenthaler's leadership, Nashville is one of the most dynamic and welcoming cities in the world today. Over 4,000 people from Nashville and around the country attended his visitation. The Catholic Church was packed for his funeral. It was broadcast on local television. Mr. Speaker, a truly great American has died and will never be replaced. ____________________”