John Lewis Civil Rights Fellowship Act of 2022
Floor Speech
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Mrs. KIM of California. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, I rise in support of the John Lewis Civil Rights Fellowship Act. John Lewis was a powerful, tireless advocate for equality and justice all his life.
Along with his mentor and friend, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., he put his life and personal safety on the line as a leader in the nonviolent civil rights movement that profoundly changed our Nation for the better.
His boldness in pursuit of justice was powerfully rooted in faith and love. As he himself described it: ``At a very early stage of the movement, I accepted the teaching of Jesus, the way of love, the way of nonviolence, the spirit of forgiveness and reconciliation. The idea of hate is too heavy a burden to bear. It is better to love.''
To help pass these values on to future generations, this bill establishes the John Lewis Civil Rights Fellowship within the Fulbright Program at the Department of State.
The Fulbright educational exchange program has enjoyed bipartisan support for over 75 years. As part of Fulbright, the stated purpose of the John Lewis Fellowship is ``to advance foreign policy priorities of the United States by promoting studies, research, and international exchange in the subject of nonviolent movements that established and protected civil rights around the world.''
This bill is a worthy way of honoring a great man who sacrificed so much to make America and the world a better place.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Mrs. KIM of California. Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
Madam Speaker, John Lewis lived a life profoundly dedicated to pursuing equality and justice for all, rooted in love and nonviolence. The part he played in the brave struggle against racial injustice changed the course of American history and inspired many around the world.
This bill to create a Fulbright fellowship program in his name is a fitting tribute to his legacy. I support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Source