East Hartford - Famed civil rights icon Congressman John Lewis was
honored at a reception hosted by fellow Congressman John Larson at Goodwin
College. Lewis traveled to Connecticut to give the commencement address at the
school.
John Lewis is a one of the few
remaining old school civil right leaders still available to teach the ways that
will keep the movement alive for the next crop of great leaders. Don’t be mislead
by his dignified and charming grandfatherly manor. There is still plenty of
fire left in this man.
“It is good to be here to see all
of the changes that have occurred in America during the past 50 years, but we
still have a way to go. There are forces in America today that want to take us
back to another time. We can’t go back, we won’t go back.”
Interviewing Congressman Lewis
Photo by Merle Davis
His advice for future leaders?
“They must get out there and push and pull and help make this country and the
world community a better place. They have a moral obligation, a mission and a
mandate to speak up, to speak out and find a way to get in the way. What I call
good trouble, necessary trouble.” The kind of trouble Lewis has gotten into
routinely for decades trying to help the cause. “I’ve been arrested about 40
times. I’ll probably get arrested some more.” he says with pride.
Lewis is a man who has been beaten
and jailed trying to make a change. “Public service is a calling, a lot of
people put up with a lot of stuff. I don’t get tired, I don’t get weary. I feel
like I’ve been blessed. I feel I have an obligation to help others.”
He called Congressman John Larson
“A friend, a brother.” He praised the leadership efforts of Goodwin College for
helping young people grow up to be good citizens.
Goodwin College gave Lewis a new
title “Dr. John Lewis” by conferred a him with a doctorial degree. “It’s a happy day.” he said.
