In February 2013 the American Alliance of Museums (AAM), a national organization I belong to, gave their Congressional Award to four members of Congress recognizing their outstanding work supporting museums: Senator Richard Durbin (D-IL), Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT), Representative John Lewis (D-GA), and Representative David McKinley (R-WV). The nominations are received from members of the museum field and the awards are presented during annual Museums Advocacy Day events.

At the time of the 2013 award I was serving as a Council Member for the American Association for State & Local History and as a Board Member for the Washington Museum Association. I attended Museum Advocacy events three years in a row (2012-2014). I was present at the reception on Capitol Hill when the 2013 awards were given.

I vividly remember John Lewis’s speech that night because I was so impressed with his obvious appreciation for the services museums provide. His speech was passionate and well researched; not a canned political speech. He obviously invested a lot of thought in what he was going to say and acknowledged the importance and the relevance of the work done by the museum community. His speech made me proud to be a part of the museum profession.

Congressman Lewis along with Lonnie Bunch (who now serves as the 14th Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution) were the driving forces behind the new National Museum of African American History and Culture on The Mall. After his acceptance speech a colleague of mine, Jan Gallimore, and I approached him to thank him for his kind words and the work he does for our country. We shook his hand but also felt compelled to give him a hug. We asked him if that would be okay and he graciously said yes. He was down to earth and very humble. Its a reception and meeting I’ll never forget. Below are images taken that night on Capitol Hill at the reception following the Congressional Awards Ceremony.

John Lewis you will be sorely missed. Kind Sir, may you Rest In Peace. You were such an important part of our country’s Civil Rights Movement and the governance that followed. Here’s to hoping that you will continue to “get into good trouble” and guide from above.

“If you’re not hopeful and optimistic, then you just give up. You have to take that long hard look and just believe that if your consistent, you will succeed”– John Lewis

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John Lewis photo credit: New York Magazine, photographer Michael Avedon

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