Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Costa Remembers John Lewis: He Tried to Heal 'Racial Divide'
GV-Wire-1
By gvwire
Published 5 years ago on
July 22, 2020

Share

The death of civil rights leader and congressman John Lewis late last week prompted poignant memories from Rep. Jim Costa (D – Fresno).

“I served with John Lewis for 16 years in the United States House of Representatives,” Costa said, “And I must say that, clearly, he was the conscience of the Congress.”

Official congressional portrait of Jim Costa
Rep. Jim Costa

Lewis died on July 17 at the age of 80. He was one of the Big Six civil rights activists who organized the 1963 March on Washington and represented the Atlanta area in the House since 1987.

“He was a drum major for justice,” Costa said. “His entire career was spent on trying to heal the racial divide that exists in our country today.”

Joined Lewis in Commemorating Civil Rights March

Costa recalled joining Lewis twice in recent years on visits to several southern states to reflect on the legacy of the 1960s civil rights movement. Those trips included retracing the iconic “Bloody Sunday” civil rights march in 1965 across the Edmund Pettus Bridge, where Lewis was severely beaten by Alabama State Troopers.

Walking with Lewis in the commemorative walk across the bridge, “is something I will never forget,” Costa said.

Lewis received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2011. In awarding the honor, President Barack Obama praised Lewis as, “an American who knew that change could not wait for some other person or some other time; whose life is a lesson in the fierce urgency of now.”

“I am fortunate to be able to say he was my friend,” said Costa.

Video by Darius Assemi and Jamie Ouverson

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

FDA Approves Moderna’s New Lower-Dose COVID-19 Vaccine

DON'T MISS

Cabrera, Three Relievers Combine to Lead Marlins to Win Over Giants

DON'T MISS

Spike in Steel Tariffs Could Imperil Trump Promise of Lower Grocery Prices

DON'T MISS

Dodgers’ Mookie Betts Out With Broken Toe After Late-Night Bedroom Mishap

DON'T MISS

California Gubernatorial Candidate Steve Hilton Vows to Repeal Transgender Athlete Law

DON'T MISS

Trans Athlete Competes in California Championships in Clovis Despite National Controversy

DON'T MISS

Tim Walz Urges Democrats to Fight Back Harder Against ‘Bully’ Trump

DON'T MISS

US Defense Secretary Warns Indo-Pacific Allies of ‘Imminent’ Threat From China

DON'T MISS

Hamas Responds to the US Ceasefire Proposal for Gaza While Seeking Amendments

DON'T MISS

No. 15 Overall Seed UCLA Eases Past Fresno State Behind a Season-High 22 Hits

UP NEXT

General Is a Good Boy — in English and Spanish

UP NEXT

Two Renovated Tot Lots Promise Family Fun at Roeding Park

UP NEXT

Visalia Police Hand Out 55 Citations During Motorcycle Safety Crackdown

UP NEXT

Authorities Seek Help Finding Relatives of Deceased Fresno Man

UP NEXT

Valley Crime Stoppers’ Most Wanted Person of the Day: Felecia Johnson

UP NEXT

How in the World Did Fresno End Up on Trump’s Sanctuary Cities List?

UP NEXT

Loretta Swit, Emmy-winner Who Played Houlihan on Pioneering TV Series ‘M.A.S.H.,’ Has Died at 87

UP NEXT

Fresno Police Release Video of Officer-Involved Shooting

UP NEXT

1 in 4 US Children Have Parents With Substance Use Disorder, Study Finds

UP NEXT

Dozens Sickened in Expanding Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Recalled Cucumbers

Dodgers’ Mookie Betts Out With Broken Toe After Late-Night Bedroom Mishap

11 hours ago

California Gubernatorial Candidate Steve Hilton Vows to Repeal Transgender Athlete Law

16 hours ago

Trans Athlete Competes in California Championships in Clovis Despite National Controversy

18 hours ago

Tim Walz Urges Democrats to Fight Back Harder Against ‘Bully’ Trump

19 hours ago

US Defense Secretary Warns Indo-Pacific Allies of ‘Imminent’ Threat From China

19 hours ago

Hamas Responds to the US Ceasefire Proposal for Gaza While Seeking Amendments

20 hours ago

No. 15 Overall Seed UCLA Eases Past Fresno State Behind a Season-High 22 Hits

20 hours ago

Judge and Ohtani Light Up the First Inning With Historic Homers in Yankees-Dodgers Rematch

20 hours ago

Chapman Homers, Harrison Pitches Five Scoreless Innings as Giants Beat Marlins

20 hours ago

General Is a Good Boy — in English and Spanish

21 hours ago

FDA Approves Moderna’s New Lower-Dose COVID-19 Vaccine

The U.S. approved a new COVID-19 vaccine made by Moderna late Friday but with limits on who can use it — not a replacement for the company&#...

11 hours ago

11 hours ago

FDA Approves Moderna’s New Lower-Dose COVID-19 Vaccine

11 hours ago

Cabrera, Three Relievers Combine to Lead Marlins to Win Over Giants

11 hours ago

Spike in Steel Tariffs Could Imperil Trump Promise of Lower Grocery Prices

11 hours ago

Dodgers’ Mookie Betts Out With Broken Toe After Late-Night Bedroom Mishap

Steve Hilton, a 2026 candidate for governor, speaks at a news conference on May 31, 2025, outside Veterans Memorial Stadium in Clovis. (GV Wire/David Taub)
16 hours ago

California Gubernatorial Candidate Steve Hilton Vows to Repeal Transgender Athlete Law

18 hours ago

Trans Athlete Competes in California Championships in Clovis Despite National Controversy

19 hours ago

Tim Walz Urges Democrats to Fight Back Harder Against ‘Bully’ Trump

19 hours ago

US Defense Secretary Warns Indo-Pacific Allies of ‘Imminent’ Threat From China

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend