The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas is saddened at the passing of United States Congressman John Robert Lewis, one the towering National Heroes of his country, on Friday, 17 July 2020. The Government and people of The Bahamas join the rest of the world in extending sincere condolences to the family, friends and members of the community of Mr Lewis.

His leading contemporary and exemplar in the Sixties was the legendary Reverend Dr Martin Luther King, Jr, who was very much associated with The Bahamas. Mr Lewis carried on with the movement using all of his capacities to advance its cause through “good trouble”.

He progressed to serve his country to become the example through his civic and political efforts as a Councilman of the City of Atlanta, Georgia, and then as a long-serving US Congressman from Georgia. He has been rewarded several times over for his heroism and hard work, including memorably the designation of “Conscience of the US Congress”.

The Bahamas has been a long-time good neighbour of the movement for civil rights in the United States, with many of its heroes having come to its shores over the decades.

Mr. Lewis has left a lasting legacy.  May his soul rest in eternal peace.