Congressman John Lewis Saluted At Gala Fund-Raiser In Atlanta

Jet, May 8, 2000

U.S. Rep. John Lewis (D-GA) recently was feted at a gala tribute, fund-raiser and birthday party in Atlanta.

The event highlighted the congressman's past 40 years of political activism from his days as a freedom rider in the turbulent '60s to today, serving as Chief Deputy Minority Whip in the House of Representatives and member of the powerful House Ways and Means Committee.

Nearly 600 guests gathered at the Atlanta Airport Hilton Hotel and Towers to congratulate the 60-year-old politician and civil rights veteran. Heading the list of well-wishers was President Bill Clinton.

"I had to be here tonight because without John and the many people in our Congress that he influenced, the prosperity and peace and social progress we enjoy could not have been achieved over the last seven years," Clinton said. "And I had to be here tonight most of all because, just as much today as 40 years ago, John Lewis' life represents the central lesson I think we all have to learn in life. We find more meaning in compassion than in judgment and we find more meaning in unity than division.

"John has somehow incorporated into himself the spirit that elevated Gandhi and Dr. King, that freed Nelson Manuela of his hate and bitterness in spite of 27 long years in prison. He always says that one of his favorite hymns is This Little Light of Mine. Well, his little light has certainly shined. And I've tried to make it mine."

At age 20, Lewis was first arrested for leading lunch counter sit-ins in Nashville. During the 1960s, he traveled the segregated South on the Freedom Rides, became leader of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) from 1963 to 1966, and was arrested 40 times during civil rights protests.

He graphically symbolized the brutality Blacks faced as they sought the right to vote in the South when he was beaten by Alabama state troopers as he and other protesters tried to cross the Edmund Pettus Bridge during the "Bloody Sunday" of the Selma to Montgomery March that led to the passage of the 1965 Voting Rights Act.

Joining the president in paying tribute to Rep. Lewis were Georgia Gov. Roy Barnes and Atlanta Mayor Bill Campbell as well as Lewis' 23-year-old son John Miles Lewis.

Renowned opera star Kathleen Battle delighted the audience and the guest of honor with a special performance and actor Brock Peters served as emcee for the evening's festivities.

An elated Lewis, who was joined for the gala celebration by his wife, Lillian, and his 86-year-old mother, Willie Mae Lewis, who traveled to Atlanta from her home in Troy, AL, for the event, told the gathering:

"While growing up on the 110-acre farm that my father bought with $300, I never thought I would celebrate my 60th birthday with the President of the United States, the Governor of Georgia, the Mayor of Atlanta and the most beautiful bird of song I know, Kathleen Battle.

"From a farm in rural Alabama to the halls of Congress, my walk through life has been one blessing after another. Only in our America can a boy have hopes and dreams and see his life become nothing short of a miracle."

Lewis later beamed as special guests, who included Rep. Sanford Bishop (D-GA), developer Herman J. Russell and local businessman Gregory Baranco, rose to their feet and sang Happy Birthday.

The event raised a reported $600,000 for the John Lewis for Congress Committee. Lewis will be running for his eighth term in Congress in the November national elections.