Barack Obama Pays Tribute To John Lewis: “He Gave All Of Himself To The Cause Of Freedom And Justice”

July 18, 2020 Civil Rights, Democrats

Rep. John Lewis “loved this country so much that he risked his life and his blood so that it might live up to its promise,” former President Barack Obama said Friday night in paying tribute to one of his personal heroes.

“And through the decades, he not only gave all of himself to the cause of freedom and justice, but inspired generations that followed to try to live up to his example,” Obama said in a statement. Obama credited the former Freedom Rider for helping him to become the nation’s first Black president.

“I first met John when I was in law school, and I told him then that he was one of my heroes. Years later, when I was elected a U.S. Senator, I told him that I stood on his shoulders,” Obama said. “When I was elected President of the United States, I hugged him on the inauguration stand before I was sworn in and told him I was only there because of the sacrifices he made.”

Not many of us get to live to see our own legacy play out in such a meaningful, remarkable way. John Lewis did:https://t.co/KbVfYt5CeQ

— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) July 18, 2020