Civil Rights Icon John Lewis Honored At Capitol Hill Ceremony

Congressional leaders on Monday paid their respects to the late Rep. John Lewis with a memorial service at the Capitol rotunda, where the civil rights icon will lie in state.

Members of Congress at the ceremony wore masks and socially distanced from each other. Some attendees had the slogan “Good Trouble” printed on their masks, a popular catchphrase of the longtime Georgia congressman.

Lewis died on July 17 at the age of 80 after a six-month battle with pancreatic cancer. He served in the House from 1987 until his death.

“John was revered and beloved on both sides of the aisle...we knew that he always worked on the side of the angles and now we know that he is with them," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said in an emotional speech. "God truly blessed America with the life and leadership of John Lewis.”

In addition to speeches, attendees listened to a performance of “Amazing Grace” to honor Lewis’ life.

Although President Trump offered brief words of condolence for Lewis on Twitter, he said he would not attend the memorial service. Vice President Mike Pence, and his wife, Karen, are expected to pay their respects to Lewis at the Capitol.

Lewis, a Democrat, was considered one of the most prominent figures in the House. He made a speech at the 1963 March on Washington, alongside civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.