Congressman and Civil Rights Activist
"Get in the Way"
Tuesday, February 8, 2005, 11:10 a.m.
Described as "one of the most courageous persons the Civil Rights Movement ever produced," John Lewis has dedicated his life to protecting human rights. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in religion and philosophy from Fisk University, and he is a graduate of the American Baptist Theological Seminary in Nashville, Tennessee. He is the recipient of numerous awards, including the prestigious Martin Luther King Jr. Non-Violent Peace Prize, the NAACP Spingarn Medal, the John F. Kennedy "Profile in Courage Award" for lifetime achievement, and the National Education Association Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Award. During the height of the Civil Rights Movement, from 1963 to 1966, John Lewis was chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee and became known as one of the "Big Six" leaders of the movement. Elected to Congress in November 1986, John Lewis represents Georgia's Fifth Congressional District and is currently serving his ninth term in office.
Read the Press Release: Civil Rights Legend John Lewis Speaks at Lawrence University Convocation