Barack Obama Speaks out on John Lewis’ Death: ‘I Stood on His Shoulders’

John Lewis, the civil rights leader and U.S. representative from Georgia, has died from pancreatic cancer, and one of his biggest admirers, former President Barack Obama is speaking out. In a poignant note released following Lewis’ death Friday night, Obama pointed out how Lewis constantly imagined a “better world” by making civil rights work and politics his “life’s work.

“America is a constant work in progress. What gives each new generation purpose is to take up the unfinished work of the last and carry it further — to speak out for what’s right, to challenge an unjust status quo, and to imagine a better world,” Obama wrote. “John Lewis — one of the original Freedom Riders, chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, the youngest speaker at the March on Washington, leader of the march from Selma to Montgomery, Member of Congress representing the people of Georgia for 33 years — not only assumed that responsibility, he made it his life’s work. He loved this country so much that he risked his life and his blood so that it might live up to its promise. And through the decades, he not only gave all of himself to the cause of freedom and justice but inspired generations that followed to try to live up to his example.

“Considering his enormous impact on the history of this country, what always struck those who met John was his gentleness and humility. Born into modest means in the heart of the Jim Crow South, he understood that he was just one of a long line of heroes in the struggle for racial justice. Early on, he embraced the principles of nonviolent resistance and civil disobedience as the means to bring about real change in this country, understanding that such tactics had the power not only to change laws but to change hearts and minds as well.”

The former POTUS went on to note how humble Lewis, who was 80 years old at the time of his death, was despite his status as a civil rights icon. Lewis “never believed that what he did was more than any citizen of this country might do” and that all Americans have “a longing to do what’s right” and “a willingness to love all people.” Obama, 58, also noted that Lewis’ career will continue to guide younger generations. The Chicago native then went on to recall several meetings with Lewis, ranging from his first encounter in law school to a virtual meetup just months ago.

“I first met John when I was in law school, and I told him then that he was one of my heroes,” Obama wrote. “Years later, when I was elected a U.S. Senator, I told him that I stood on his shoulders. When I was elected President of the United States, I hugged him on the inauguration stand before I was sworn in and told him I was only there because of the sacrifices he made. And through all those years, he never stopped providing wisdom and encouragement to me and Michelle and our family. We will miss him dearly.

“It’s fitting that the last time John and I shared a public forum was at a virtual town hall with a gathering of young activists who were helping to lead this summer’s demonstrations in the wake of George Floyd’s death. Afterwards, I spoke to him privately, and he could not have been prouder of their efforts — of a new generation standing up for freedom and equality, a new generation intent on voting and protecting the right to vote, a new generation running for political office. I told him that all those young people — of every race, from every background and gender and sexual orientation — they were his children. They had learned from his example, even if they didn’t know it. They had understood through him what American citizenship requires, even if they had heard of his courage only through history books.”

In closing, Obama summed up Lewis’ long-running legacy and encouraged his peers and followers to “keeping believing” in honor of the late icon. He wrote: “Not many of us get to live to see our own legacy play out in such a meaningful, remarkable way. John Lewis did. And thanks to him, we now all have our marching orders — to keep believing in the possibility of remaking this country we love until it lives up to its full promise.”