Bill and Hillary Clinton on John Lewis death: ‘We have lost a giant’

Former President Bill Clinton and former secretary of State Hillary Clinton marked the passing of Civil Rights icon Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.) on Friday, calling him “a giant” and praising his lifelong fight for justice and equality.

“We have lost a giant. John Lewis gave all he had to redeem America’s unmet promise of equality and justice for all, and to create a place for us to build a more perfect union together,” the Clintons said in a statement. “From a small farm in Alabama, to life-risking service in the civil rights movement, to three decades in Congress, he was always “walking with the wind,” steered by a moral compass that told him when to make good trouble and when to heal troubled waters.

“Hillary and I loved John,” the statement continues. “We were blessed by his friendship, support, and wise counsel. We’ll miss him so much, but we’ll always be grateful to God for his long good life, and grateful that he lived to see a new generation of Americans take to the streets in search of his long sought ‘beloved community.'” 

John Lewis gave all he had to redeem America’s unmet promise of equality and justice for all, and to create a place for us to build a more perfect union together. In so doing he became the conscience of the nation.

— Bill Clinton (@BillClinton) July 18, 2020

Both Clintons closely worked with Lewis throughout their political careers, and Lewis even initially endorsed Hillary over then-candidate Barack Obama in the 2008 presidential campaign before later throwing his support behind Obama.

“Our hearts go out to his son John-Miles and the entire Lewis family, his able loyal staff, and all who loved and admired him the world over,” the Clintons said. 

Lewis died on Friday after a battle with pancreatic cancer. Social media was immediately flooded with an outpouring of support for the legendary lawmaker as people noted his historic work as a leader of the Civil Rights movement. 

He marched in Selma, Ala., on “Bloody Sunday” and was a keynote speaker at the March on Washington. He continued to join protests and was arrested throughout his life. 

Most recently, while fighting cancer, Lewis joined Black Lives Matter protests that have erupted nationwide in response to police brutality against Black Americans.