Bill Lee: “I thank Congressman Evans for yielding, for that gracious introduction, but, more importantly, for his magnificent…”

“I thank Congressman Evans for yielding, for that gracious introduction, but, more importantly, for his magnificent leadership. He has come to Congress hitting the ground running, and it truly has been and is in the spirit of Dr. King, so I thank the gentleman very much. And to our chair, Congressman Cedric Richmond, I want to thank him for his steady leadership--and it is steady--of our caucus and for helping us to stay focused on this Special Order on the evenings which we do these to honor the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who was and is our drum major for justice. To Congressman John Lewis, I just have to say to him that I owe him a debt of gratitude. I would not be here if it were not for him. And I want to say, on behalf of my young people at the Martin Luther King Jr. Freedom Center who have a chance to be with him every year-- now it has been about 17 years--how much he and Congresswoman Terri Sewell--how much they have touched their lives and have turned their lives around, and how they understand now what fighting for justice and peace really means by being part of their efforts and by their mentoring them and teaching them that the beloved community is not only a dream but can be real. So I thank Congressman Lewis so much. It is an honor to know the gentleman and to serve with him. This year, as we remember the man in the movement that transformed really the soul of America, it is really important that we honor the fullness of Dr. King's dream.…”