Press Release: Councilmember Vincent C. Gray Issues a Statement on the Passing of Congressman and Civil Rights Leader John Lewis

News Release — Ward 7 DC Council member Vincent Gray

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                          

July 26, 2020 

Contact: Takiyah “T.N.” Tate

Washington, D.C. – Former Mayor and current Ward 7 Councilmember Vincent C. Gray issued the following statement on the recent passing of Congressman John Lewis:

“I am deeply saddened by the passing of civil rights activist Congressman John Robert Lewis. What a great iconic human being he was. It was an honor to have known such a heroic, yet humble man who never shrunk from doing what he thought was his responsibility to humanity.

Congressman Lewis will always be remembered as an admirable person who exuded diplomacy and dignity while passionately fighting for human rights and justice for all. His extraordinary life inspired us all. To the very end, Rep. Lewis was a larger than life figure in the fight for racial equality and social justice.

The sense of purpose he brought to Congress, born of the courage and the moral resolution he demonstrated in the civil rights movement, enabled him to influence important conversations and inspire others to join him in pursuing solutions to the problems of racism and social injustice. He will forever live in our hearts as the ‘conscious of Congress’. I join the rest of the country in mourning the loss of a remarkable leader and friend.

He will always be known as the ‘boy from Troy’ (Alabama) who famously said, and I quote ‘if you see something, say something, and do something’. With his characteristic humility, he never wavered in his commitment to doing the right thing on behalf of humanity. Now, it is time for every one of us to do something for him and that is to get the “Golden Rights Act” adopted and fully implemented. In the days ahead, as we honor his legacy, let’s achieve his vision of having America become the place he always wanted – a source of hope and justice for all. It is what he desired and so should we. As we honor the memory and legacy of John Lewis in the days ahead, let us fervently remember what he stood and fought for.

While he is no longer with us, we will continue to live by his example.  On behalf of Ward 7 and District residents, I extend my deepest condolences to the entire Lewis family.”

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