Sheila Jackson Lee: “I want to thank Congressman Evans for the mighty leadership that he has given and for the service that he gives to his…”

“I want to thank Congressman Evans for the mighty leadership that he has given and for the service that he gives to his constituents in Philadelphia. I accept his challenge, and I accept the challenge of my chairman, Cedric Richmond, who told a story that hopefully will be an inspiration and a guide for all of those who believe that they are not yet mature enough to serve, to give, to offer to the beloved community that Dr. King so aptly speaks of. What can I say about John Lewis, whose moral guidance, but whose bloody brow, was never bowed. I thank Congressman Lewis not only for the straight talk but the loving talk. To my colleagues who are here, I know that each will have a moment, so allow me to take just a moment to be able to offer my tribute and commemoration of Dr. King's life. What a powerful year we face in 2018, and I am so grateful to have left 2017. I believe that this gives a fresh look to America. I looked at the movie ``Remember the Titans,'' and maybe you saw that with Denzel Washington, and it reflected a racial conflict with football players just outside of Washington in Virginia. It is a moving story of how when you get young people together, we can break the chains of racism and differences. It brought tears to my eyes, because in 2017, we went that journey again, and I was hoping that we would come in this year, the commemoration year, to accept Dr. King's challenge of a beloved community. I salute my community of Houston.…”