Congressman Chris Smith’s statement on the passing of his colleague, John Lewis

“Congressman John Lewis’ courageous legacy of working for civil rights and racial equality, began at the side of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr during the turbulent 1960’s. Like Martin Luther King, John Lewis rejected violence and successfully worked to advance civil rights through peaceful protest and nonviolent civil disobedience. Congressman Lewis was known for his advocacy of peace stating, ‘As a student of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Mahatma Gandhi, and Nelson Mandela, I have long believed that peace is the true way for change.’

“May he now rest in peace.”