John Lewis’ Example By Congresswoman Jenniffer González Colón (PR)

For many people, reaching the U S Congress is the achievement of a lifetime. But John Lewis had built a historic legacy long before, as one of the Greats of the Civil Rights Movement. A man of inspiration and hope, committed to the struggles for freedom and justice, willing to put himself on the line for that cause through a whole lifetime. America has lost one of its great leaders.

He never relented in fighting for what he felt was right, yet he always sought the good in others. Having suffered hatred, bigotry and violence, he would not let himself be dragged down by hate.

It was a privilege to have been able to meet and serve in Congress with such a champion of equality and civil rights. Humble as the truly great are humble, serene and kind, but Strong in his convictions. In his office he displayed mementos of our nation's crude history of segregation and the events of the struggle that he still remembered as if it were yesterday.

I was privileged to have conversations with him asking about his experiences, in which he gladly spent much longer time than the usual congressional meeting. In his gaze as he spoke you could see an inner peace that filled the room and seemed magical.

John Lewis always supported the right of Puerto Ricans to choose their own future and achieve full equality as American citizens, and I was able to count on him as cosponsor of the Puerto Rico Statehood Admission Act (H.R.4901). He also joined in our effort to recognize the valor and sacrifice in battle of the Puerto Rican soldiers of the 65th Infantry Regiment as cosponsor of the measure to establish the 13th of April as National Borinqueneers Day.

In the same spirit of justice and equality, he asked me to be the Republican co-lead for the Every Child Deserves a Family Act (HR 3114), a piece of legislation that seeks to end discrimination in adoption and Foster care agencies across the nation, forbidding discrimination against children, youths, families and individuals on the basis of religion, sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity) and marital status in the management and delivery of child welfare services using federal funds. I did not hesitate to say yes. Discrimination is discrimination whether you are talking political or social issues. In fact, I am the only Republican sponsor of that Bill.

Representative Lewis' gallant defense of equality and justice extended to the struggle for the rights of the LGBTQ community. I was proud to join him in the Equality Act, which would extend by law the protection against discrimination under the 1964 Civil Rights Act to LGBTQ individuals (as the Supreme Court has recently ruled must be).

The march towards true justice on which John Lewis spent his life goes on: it is up to us to continue it. There will be other bridges to cross, and his courage should inspire us to cross them against whatever opponent, but always with love and care for our fellow humans.

May his loved ones be comforted by the knowledge that his memory will continue to inspire many to come. Our new generations are learning from his words, about inclusion and about fighting hatred with love. Thank you, John (you never wanted me to call you Congressman o Mr. Lewis).