WASHINGTON, DC – On July 18, Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney released a statement mourning the loss of her colleague, Congressman and civil rights leader John Lewis who served Georgia's 5th congressional district since 1987. Rep. Lewis passed away on July 17 after a six-month battle against pancreatic cancer. He was 80.

The text of Rep. Maloney’s statement follows:

“It has been an honor to serve with, learn from, and call Congressman John Lewis a friend. Our country has lost an incredible civil rights leader and even better man.

“I’m grateful to have stirred up some good trouble together on the House floor during our sit-in against gun violence – a movement which spread to cities across the country. It was just one in a million ways he inspired the next generation of activists to never stop fighting for justice and equality.

“It was an honor to join him during many of his yearly trips to Selma, Alabama to retrace his and Martin Luther King Jr.’s steps across the Edmund Pettus Bridge as we not only honored the movement that they started but also rededicated ourselves to the mission of racial justice. I will cherish the memory of joining him and President Obama there to mark the 50th Anniversary of the march.

“Rest in Power, Congressman – we will miss you dearly as we carry on your legacy.”