Very few people in my lifetime have captured my interest so deeply that their influence shaped my values – my passion – my drive and my commitment for social change.

I was fortunate to grow up in the era of President John F Kennedy, Dr. Martin Luther King, and Senator Robert F Kennedy and when their lives were lost so suddenly – all hope for a better future seemed forever lost as well. Yet I and so many others found our faith and belief in the courage so exemplified to the fullest by the Honorable John Lewis.

Congressman Lewis was Honorable long before he was elected to the Congress fueled in great part to his unmatched courage, humility, and passion to continue onward the great work of so many leaders before him. He piqued the interest of an entire generation and kept that eternal flame of hope burning for all of us. I have always maintained the belief that to pique one’s interest means to catch it and to excite it. It does not mean to look at it from behind something else and without one iota of doubt, Congressman John Lewis caught the interest of so many people whose quest today – just like it was 50 years ago – is for a more just world, dignity toward one another, and compassion and equality for all. These values entail a corresponding set of obligations, and obligations are only meaningful where there is capacity to carry them out. Thank you, Congressman Lewis, for helping us realize that the values of our founders are still not fully realized and there is still more work to do.

I was fortunate to have had several memorable interactions with John Lewis the last one occurring on June 6th, 2018 when we were both speaking at Arlington National Cemetery in honor of the 50th anniversary memorial for Senator Robert F Kennedy. Prior to the actual event, there was a private ceremony at the Senator’s gravesite, and I was fortunate to sit next to Congressman Lewis. I leaned over and whispered in his ear how grateful I was for his dedication and commitment to a more peaceful world. We both started to cry as we remembered the life of Robert F Kennedy and it struck me at that very moment that I was indeed in the presence of a person who recognized the importance of letting your passion change the world but never letting the world change your passion. Despite his many challenges and many obstacles along the way, he was as passionate at that June RFK memorial as he was when he worked a long side Dr. King. It was a stark reminder to me that we have it within ourselves to do better and despite the challenges before us, we must never – never give up!

Let us all pay tribute to the Honorable John Lewis by continuing his great work and in his own words:

“When you see something that is not right, not fair, not just, you have to say speak up. You have to say something. You have to do something” ~ John Lewis

Godspeed to the Honorable John Lewis.

~Donato Tramuto