On Friday, July 21st, Morehouse College witnessed a gathering of hundreds of people coming together to honor the dedication of the John Lewis Forever Stamp.
The United States Postal Service proudly presents this commemorative stamp, a tribute celebrating the remarkable life and enduring legacy of an American hero, who proudly called Atlanta his home.
Amidst laughter, love, and soulful songs, several admirers and friends, including two sitting senators and the renowned actress, Alfre Woodard, as the emcee, gathered at Morehouse College for the heartfelt dedication of the John Lewis Forever Stamp.
Countless speakers paid tribute to Rep. John Lewis, an indomitable American icon whose unwavering pursuit of peace and justice remained undeterred, regardless of the odds. Many shared fond memories of the compassion that resided in his heart.
Former Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin expressed, “It wasn’t just his words and courage but his humility that influenced me to go into public life and to vote every time.”
Peggy Wallace Kennedy, daughter of the segregationist and former Alabama Governor George Wallace, spoke movingly of Rep. Lewis’s forgiveness, stating, “In 2009, my journey with John began as he held my hand and we crossed the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama. For you see, one act of kindness can make all the difference.”
Bestowing upon him the highest honor, the United States Postal Service unveiled the John Lewis Forever Stamp on this momentous occasion.
The stamp immortalized the man affectionately known as the “Boy from Troy,” whose tireless commitment to civil, human, and voting rights transformed him into an American hero and a conscience of the United States Congress.
Governor Ronald Stroman of the USPS board of governors praised John Lewis’s significance, saying, “One writer wrote that John Lewis was as important to the founding of a modern and multiethnic 20th and 21st century America, as Thomas Jefferson and James Madison and Samuel Adams were to the creation of the Republic in the 18th century.”
Throughout his life, Congressman Lewis inspired millions of people, yet he never lost his genuine connection with ordinary individuals. As one speaker aptly noted, he walked with kings but retained the common touch.
Now available at your local post office, the John Lewis Forever Stamps serve as a timeless tribute to a man whose legacy will forever resonate in the hearts of the nation.
Do you plan to purchase the John Lewis Forever Stamp? Let me know in the comments below.
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