In the 1960s Congressman John Lewis of Georgia endured more than 40 arrests, physical attacks and serious injuries as he rose to become a national leader in the fight against the injustice of Jim Crow laws in the South.

On Monday delegates to the UAW’s 35th Constitutional Convention presented him with the UAW Social Justice Award.

Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga., told delegates about the bond between Walter Reuther and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Photo by Don Lehman, UAW Local 249.

“If it had not been for the UAW, I would not be standing here a member of the U.S. House of Representatives,” Lewis said. “Thank you for your help, and thank you for your support.”
 

Throughout his career in Congress, the Democrat has remained in the vanguard of progressive social movements and the human rights struggle in the United States.

He helped form and served as chair of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, which was largely responsible for organizing sit-ins, bus boycotts and nonviolent protests in the fight for racial equality.

His work with voter groups helped reshape the nation’s political climate by adding nearly 4 million minorities to the nation’s voter rolls. His contributions helped hasten the passage of the historic Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Since his election to Congress in 1986, Lewis has represented Georgia's 5th Congressional District with distinction. He has served on the powerful House Ways and Means Committee and as a chief deputy whip.

Lewis grew up in rural Alabama and witnessed his brother, cousins and other relatives leave the South for Detroit where they could find good-paying jobs with the auto industry.

“Thanks to the UAW,” he said.

Lewis also thanked the union for its strong support in the fight for civil rights and for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Because of the bond between UAW President Walter Reuther and King, Lewis told delegates, the civil rights leader used an office at Solidarity House to write what would become his famous “I have a Dream Speech.”

And, said Lewis, it was the UAW that in 1963 marched first with King in Detroit and later in the march on Washington.

Lewis challenged delegates to look to the future and to push ahead for the passage of the Employee Free Choice Act.

“We’re going to make it happen on our watch,” Lewis said. “I don’t understand it. We should have done it a long time ago. Let’s pass it and pass it now.”

Sandra Davis