Lawmakers exploring ways to honor Lewis in D.C. and in Georgia
John Lewis in 1964 (Courtesy Library of Congress)
Jonathan O’Brien | Reporter
(Atlanta, Ga) — Some state lawmakers have proposed legislation to honor the life and legacy of Civil Rights icon and Georgia Congressman John Lewis.
Since his death in July of 2020, there have been calls to find a proper way to recognize the late congressman’s accomplishments.
“Everybody knows the contributions that John Lewis made, and he was a major impact on my life,” says State Representative Calvin Smyre. “All of us stand on his shoulders, and I think it would be noble if we could do something in his honor.”
Smyre, the longest-serving member of the Georgia House, put his name on H.R. 14, which calls for creating a “National Statuary Hall Collection Replacement Committee.”
Statuary Hall, located inside the U.S. Capitol, has two statues from each of the 50 states. Currently, Dr. Crawford W. Long and former Vice President of the Confederacy Alexander Hamilton Stephens represent Georgia.
The resolution calls for the replacement of Stephens with Mr. Lewis. The committee would be in charge of finding a new location for the Stephens statue.
Rep. Smyre said many discussions are going on about “the proper recognition for someone that gave his life to helping others and mankind.”
On Monday, State Rep. Shelly Hutchinson (D-Snellville) filed HB 240, which would designate February 21st, “John Lewis Day” in Georgia, and give state employees a day off. Smyre is one of the sponsors.
He left open the possibility of ways to honor the late congressman on the State Capitol’s grounds, saying that it should reflect Georgia’s whole story.