Political Quotes

“I thank the gentlewoman for yielding and giving me an opportunity to say a few words about our extraordinary colleague, the late John Lewis. John Lewis is someone who had such an enormous impact on this country, someone who risked his life and endured violence and intimidation to help create a more beloved community and a better country. John was a gentle man who continued his fight for equality and justice and dignity for every single person in this country. Many of us had the privilege of crossing the Edmund Pettus Bridge with John Lewis, but for me what was particularly helpful and memorable was that John Lewis was a champion in the fight for LGBTQ and the Equality Act. At a very critical moment, he became part of that effort, and I thought to myself: Here is a man who has already done more than anyone could imagine one person could do for human dignity, for equality, and for justice, and he was still in the fight for the LGBTQ community. One of the most extraordinary honors of my life is having served in Congress and, certainly, having the friendship of the extraordinary John Lewis, someone who was beloved by everyone here. I will end with this. When I first met Mr. Lewis, he called me brother. That went on for about 6 months. I thought to myself, well, he doesn't remember my name. You know, that is just the way it is. But I soon learned that he called everyone brother and sister because, in John's heart, we were all part of a common family.…”