John Lewis
John Lewis
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionPolitician
Date of Birth21 February 1940
CountryUnited States of America
documented efforts forces states throughout voter
The documented incidences of voter fraud are very rare, yet throughout the country, forces have mobilized in over 30 states to stop it. These efforts are very partisan.
people impossible vote
To make it hard, to make it difficult almost impossible for people to cast a vote is not in keeping with the democratic process.
past today vote
I've said it in the past and I'll say it again today: the vote is precious; it's almost sacred.
people vote
People must understand that people were beaten, arrested, jailed, and some people were murdered, while attempting to register to vote, or to get others to register to vote.
powerful vote most-powerful
I say from time to time that the vote is precious. It's almost sacred. It is the most powerful nonviolent tool or instrument that we have in a democratic society. And we must use it.
needed
It's something we've needed for a long time.
country gone saw signs torn ways
I would say the country is a different country. It is a better country. The signs I saw when I was growing up are gone and they will not return. In many ways the walls of segregation have been torn down.
brothers check cousins inspired librarian public sisters trying whites
I was so inspired by Dr. King that in 1956, with some of my brothers and sisters and first cousins - I was only 16 years old - we went down to the public library trying to check out some books, and we were told by the librarian that the library was for whites only and not for colors. It was a public library.
believe hard
If you're not hopeful and optimistic, then you just give up. You have to take the long hard look and just believe that if you're consistent, you will succeed.
became bringing change civil college heard involved king luther martin means met politics rights saw tenth three time
When I was 15 years old and in the tenth grade, I heard of Martin Luther King, Jr. Three years later, when I was 18, I met Dr. King and we became friends. Two years after that I became very involved in the civil rights movement. I was in college at that time. As I got more and more involved, I saw politics as a means of bringing about change.
beyond black create elected family gone officials passing white
Now we have black and white elected officials working together. Today, we have gone beyond just passing laws. Now we have to create a sense that we are one community, one family. Really, we are the American family.
confined four great message morning sermon sunday walls
It was not enough to come and listen to a great sermon or message every Sunday morning and be confined to those four walls and those four corners. You had to get out and do something.
giving messed people
If it wasn't for the people giving us stuff, we wouldn't be here today. If it wasn't for them, we'd have been real messed up.
federation grown neck
I don't think the federation has a head; its neck has just grown up and haired over.