Dr. Rick Hodes and Congressman John Lewis

Dr. Rick writes: 

I was dismayed to learn that Congressman John Lewis died on July 17. The only word which can describe John Lewis is a hero. Courageous, inspirational, and devoted to justice. 

John and I met when we got honorary doctorates at Jewish Theological Seminary in New York in 2013. I told him of my work in Ethiopia, and sent him a bag of Ethiopian coffee, which he loved. 

Take a moment and read his obituaries, and listen to his  commencement speech at  Boston University: 

http://www.bu.edu/articles/2018/rep-john-lewis-commencement-address-to-bu-class-of-2018/

John Lewis was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in December, 2019, and died this week. He was arrested 40 times in the struggle for civil rights, served in congress for 33 years, and told students to get into "good trouble" to strive for justice for all. 

In 2018 he tweeted: 

“Do not get lost in a sea of despair. Be hopeful, be optimistic. Our struggle is not the struggle of a day, a week, a month, or a year, it is the struggle of a lifetime. Never, ever be afraid to make some noise and get in good trouble, necessary trouble.”

John Lewis, the world is a better place due to your efforts. Rest in peace.