“From marching in Selma to serving in the House, Representative John Lewis spent his life fighting for civil rights for every single American,” U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-New York) said on Twitter. “He is an American hero and a giant. And we are all better for the ‘good trouble’ he made.”
Schumer was among the officials throughout Nassau County and New York who shared their sentiments in mourning the death of the civil rights activist and Georgia congressman.
Lewis died on Friday after a battle with pancreatic cancer. Lewis, who survived a beating by law enforcement officials during a 1965 civil rights march in Selma, Alabama, was 80 years old.
U.S. Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-Glen Cove) has referred to Lewis as a friend in previous social media posts and interviews. Suozzi recently joined Lewis and other civil rights luminaries commemorating the 55th anniversary of Bloody Sunday in March, a precursor to the 54-mile march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama.
“Tonight we lost a great man, a great American, and God’s faithful servant,” Suozzi said on Facebook. “It is such an honor to have known him, to have served with him on his committee, and, for an all too brief time, to have called him a friend.”
U.S. Rep. Kathleen Rice (D-Garden City) called Lewis one of the “great heroes in our lifetime.”
“Every day [Lewis] fought for equality and justice,” Rice said. “And because of him, our world is a better place. It was the greatest honor of my life to serve with him in Congress.”
Nassau County Democratic Committee Chairman Jay Jacobs noted the character traits Lewis exemplified throughout his life.
“The courage, compassion and leadership he demonstrated during his illustrious career as a public servant [are] second to none,” Jacobs said. “John Lewis made the world a better place, and losing such [a] heroic figure during these divisive times is particularly painful. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family during this difficult time.”
Jacobs said in his statement that Lewis was physically attacked and arrested more than 40 times while working toward equality and social justice during the civil rights movement.
“This is a heartbreaking loss,” Nassau County Executive Laura Curran tweeted. “Congressman John Lewis was an American hero who dedicated his whole life to ensure our nation lived up to its ideals.”
Town of North Hempstead Supervisor Judi Bosworth also expressed her sadness about Lewis’ death.
“I am deeply saddened by the loss of Congressman John Lewis,” Bosworth said in a statement. “He was a champion of civil rights, a powerful community activist, and an extraordinarily dedicated congressman. His passion and commitment truly set him apart, and he will be sorely missed.”
North Hempstead Councilwoman Lee Seeman, who has been active in pursuing racial equality with fair housing and civil rights, said: “America has lost the finest and most giving civil and human rights leader of our United States. Congressman John Lewis was a gift and an example for bringing all people together. He left us a legacy that reflects the best in our democracy and our nation.”
Following his activist days during the civil rights movement, Lewis was elected to Congress in November 1986 and served Georgia’s 5th Congressional District until his death.
“It is with inconsolable grief and enduring sadness that we announce the passing of U.S. Rep. John Lewis,” Lewis’ family said in a statement. “He was honored and respected as the conscience of the US Congress and an icon of American history, but we knew him as a loving father and brother. He was a stalwart champion in the on-going struggle to demand respect for the dignity and worth of every human being. He dedicated his entire life to non-violent activism and was an outspoken advocate in the struggle for equal justice in America.”
