On October 31, Congressman John Lewis, (D, GA) was honored at the Oakwood University Church, receiving the 2015 Social Justice Award. Representative Lewis is well respected for his work in the United States Congress representing Georgia's 5th district. He is a member of the House Ways and Means Committee and also serves as a ranking member of the Oversight Subcommittee and member of the Human Resources Subcommittee.
During the service, Congressman Lewis was honored for his longstanding work as a civil rights activist advocating for progressive social movements and the human rights struggle in the United States. Congressman Lewis was given a plaque "for your office in Alabama," said Pastor Carlton P. Byrd (left), but "take this to your office in Washington." Byrd was referring to a painting of Representative Lewis, which brought Lewis and many in the congregation to tears.
Lewis is best known for his work with the Freedom Rides of 1961, the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), the March on Washington in August 1963, and the historic march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama, on March 7, 1965.
The local CBS affiliate station, WHNT News19, was one of several media outlets that was present for the service and the press conference which immediately followed. (Photo by Anthony Chornes II)
Posted By: Reginald Culpepper
Thursday, November 12th 2015 at 2:09PM
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