Smyre, the “dean” of the Georgia House of Representatives, spoke of a personal connection to his own career in the elective office. “Having been elected in 1974, more than 46 years ago, he remembers the events of March 7, 1965, Bloody Sunday,” he said. “John paid a high personal price on the march from Selma to Montgomery, as he was severely beaten and thought he was dead. It was because of his courage, commitment to the fight, and getting into good trouble that gave me and many others the opportunity to seek public office. “
Credit: Ryon Horne
John Lewis of Georgia is in the state at the state capitol in Atlanta. The public had the opportunity to pay final tribute to Lewis.
Credit: Ryon Horne
Here is the text of Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms speech
“About 85 years ago, the great Langston Hughes wrote about the promise and pain of the United States.
“‘Let America be America again
“‘Let it be the dream it used to be
“‘Let him be the pioneer on the plain
“‘Looking for a home where he himself is free.
“‘The United States was never America to me.
“‘Let America be the dream dreamers dreamed of.
“‘Let that great strong land of love be
“‘Where the kings never connive nor the scheme of tyrants
“‘Let any man be crushed by one from above.
“‘It was never America for me.
“‘Oh, may my land be a land where Liberty
“‘He is crowned without a false patriotic crown
“‘But the opportunity is real and life is free
“‘Equality is in the air we breathe.’
“About five years after these words were written, a descendant of the slaves was born, a son of sharecroppers and the words of the Lord rested on his life.
“’Before I formed you, I met you in the womb. Before you were born I sanctified you, ordained you a prophet of the nations.
“And this prophet, our prophet, called America to be America again. And so we gather here today, in what was once a Confederate fortress, together, because this prophet lived, and this prophet named John Lewis loved.
“Like many, I have a deep and abiding admiration for Congressman Lewis, and have had him all my life. I would see his charming wife Lillian when he entered my mother’s salon to fix her hair. She was beautiful and a brilliant woman whose love and affection for John-Miles was evident in every conversation he had.
“I knew Congressman Lewis as the man who worked at SNCC with my aunt Ruby Doris Smith Robinson. He died at age 26, leaving a 2-year-old son. Every time he saw the congressman, his eyes sparkled with tears when he spoke of she.
“She told me stories of being beaten with her and going to jail together in Rock Hill, South Carolina. She always made sure to ask about her son, Toure.
“Although he’s an Alabama legend, an Atlanta icon, and an American hero, Congressman Lewis could take the time to let me know, so we all know, that he cares.
“And therefore I don’t think it was by chance that, in his last public appearance, he visited the Black Lives Matters mural in Washington, DC, and it was around the same time that I joined him on a Zoom call with the President Obama and the Obama Foundation, to my brother’s keeper. Until his last days, he was calling on the United States to be the United States again in his words and deeds.
“I was touched a couple of days ago when his chief of staff, Michael Collins, shared with me that the congressman was watching the Atlanta news closely and proud of the leadership that has been demonstrated. And so, the governor, when the good problems continue, He knows it is with the blessings of Congressman Lewis.
“And while the fight for freedom and equality continues, Congressman Lewis reminded us that we must be hopeful, optimistic, and never lose our sense of hope.
“‘Oh, let America be America again
The land that has never been yet
And yet it must be the land where every man is free. “
Here is the text of Governor Brian Kemp’s speech
“Today, Marty, the girls, and I join countless Georgians and Americans in mourning the loss of Congressman John Lewis, a Titan for the Civil Rights Movement, a beloved Georgian, an American hero, and a friend to all who sought something. better, fairer and more united society.
“Congressman John Lewis changed our country profoundly and immeasurably, and his legacy of passionate service is truly unmatched. As mentioned, the son of sharecroppers, John Lewis felt his calling at an early age and dedicated every waking moment to the fight for justice, equality, access and opportunities for all people, regardless of the color of their skin. . He earned a great reputation along the way, and the “good problem” that led to real change inspired a country and changed this world. No matter where you go, everyone knows the name of John Lewis and, more importantly, they know his record of standing up, talking, and shaking the status quo.
“At home in the 5th District, this legendary freedom fighter was a friendly face of the neighborhood, serving his constituents selflessly and with open arms. In our country’s most difficult times, Congressman John Lewis taught us the lesson of joyous and steadfast commitment to ideals greater than man or movement. When faced with fierce and violent opposition on a bridge in Selma, Alabama, John Lewis looked evil and injustice in the eye. He did not return that Sunday, because it was based on a deep belief that our worth was given by God, not man.
“His example taught us that we have nothing to lose and much to gain by working together and loving each other. And even today, as our country faces a public health crisis and new challenges rooted in injustice, I know that the example left by Congressman Lewis, the man who literally crossed the aisle to embrace retired Republican Senator Johnny Isakson, will inspire us to We all do the hard and necessary work to overcome our shared challenges and emerge stronger.
“The congressman put it best saying: ‘We love our country, we love our democratic society, so we have to move our feet.’ While we mourn his death, we must all re-commit ourselves to the principles for which he fought: the base Central to our country in freedom, liberty, and justice for all. The United States and the State of Georgia will forever be stronger, freer, and more alone by Congressman John Lewis, but we must do our part to build on their work and keep them alive. his legacy.
“He urged us to love, walk, and work together, despite our differences, and push our state and nation toward a better tomorrow. Her leadership in the Civil Rights Movement and her career of more than 30 years in public service embodied our highest ideals, and each of us, as Georgians and Americans, is better for her work. So now, in honor of her memory, we have to ‘move our feet.’
“May your words, actions and legacy continue to serve as the conscience of our country. The prayers of my family and all Georgians go out to Congressman Lewis’s family, his loved ones, his staff who worked so hard on his behalf, and everyone he inspired. God bless you all, and may God continue to bless our great state and nation. “
John Lewis of Georgia is in the state at the state capitol in Atlanta. Georgia State Representative Calvin Smyre talks about the civil rights icon who died on July 17.
Text of State Representative Calvin Smyre’s speech, Democrat of Columbus
To the family of John Robert Lewis, welcome to the Georgia State Capitol roundabout, where today we pay our last respects and show our admiration for a fallen hero and often call him ‘the conscience of Congress’ and say goodbye. of the. . We are hurt inside and we mourn the loss of Congressman John Lewis, yet we appreciate the life he lived and the contributions he made to humanity. We appreciate your sacrifices and all that you gave for others to enjoy a better life. He was a fearless warrior in real life.
“We all have stories of his personal charm, his greatness, his many struggles, and the strength of his character. A giant sequoia has fallen in the forest of life in Georgia.
Having been elected in 1974, more than 46 years ago, it reminds me of the events of March 7, 1965, Bloody Sunday. John paid a high personal price on the march from Selma to Montgomery, as he was severely beaten and thought he was dead. It was because of his endless courage, his commitment to the fight, and getting into good trouble that gave me and many others the opportunity to seek public office. History records that it was the events of that dreaded day that led to the approval of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which promoted and opened the way for African Americans to seek public office and bring the necessary change to create good public policy that determines our quality of life. He always said that voting was so valuable. People died for our right to vote.
“John Lewis, son of a sharecropper, was told, ‘Don’t get in the way and don’t get in trouble.'” She was inspired by Rosa Parks, whom she met at 17 and a year later, she met Martin Luther King Jr. at 18. Those two people inspired John Lewis to get in the way and find the necessary good problems.
“In John Lewis’s emotional speech that was played during the United States Capitol memorial, which made me cry, he gave me and left us a mandate: a mandate to get up, speak and speak, a mandate to find a way to stand in the way and make our state and country a better place. “Keep the faith, we will not come back, we are going forward,” he said. We must keep the faith and that is our moral obligation. Never become bitter; never hate; we are a person. There may be some setbacks, but we must always keep the faith, never give up, never give up, that’s our call.
“John, in your memory and as a legacy, you will continue to motivate us, inspire us and be a solid source of strength. We will miss you, but we will appreciate the memories and the moments. You left us with many challenges to find answers and certain principles to guide us. Your brand in the United States is established and registered forever.
“Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said that” if a man has not discovered something for which he will die, he is in no condition to live. “John Robert Lewis found something for which he would die: freedom, oh freedom. The loss John Lewis reminds us that we should never fear where we go when we know that God will be with us. May God be with you, John Robert Lewis. Work well done, your faithful servant. Work well done.
“Our final prayer: Lord of all, we praise you for all those who have entered their rest and have come to the Promised Land where they see you face to face. Lord, give us the grace to follow in their footsteps as they follow your son’s path. Thank you for the memory of those who have called yourself: for each memory, separate our hearts from what is seen to what is not seen, and take us until we reach the eternal rest that you have prepared for your people, through We pray for your name. Amen.”
