The United States Postal Service Commemorates the Life and Impact of the Late Rep. John Lewis (1940-2020) with a Forever Stamp Unveiling
The official release of the stamp took place at a special ceremony held at HBCU Morehouse College in Atlanta, GA, on Friday 21st July.
During the event, Michael Collins, Lewis’ former congressional chief of staff, shared insights into Lewis’ deep appreciation for postage stamps.
“Whenever a new forever stamp came out, he was like a kid in a candy store, purchasing more than he could ever use. There were so many stamps. He loved too many to count. Generations of his staff in both the district and DC offices could tell you about the countless trips to every post office. From Atlanta to the house office building to buy stamps and post his mail,” Collins said.
“This commemorative stamp serves as a timeless reminder of his remarkable legacy and the enduring impact of his lifelong dedication to the betterment of our society,” Collins stated. “May it inspire and encourage all Americans to continue the necessary work and the ‘good trouble’ of building a more just and inclusive nation.”
A young John Lewis first reached out to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. through a letter, which led to them meeting. Lewis’ son, John Miles-Lewis, considers his father being honored with a stamp as a full circle moment:
“From the son of sharecroppers to being a civil rights revolutionary, to be considered the conscience of the Congress. That’s a journey that started with an envelope, a letter and a stamp.”
News about the stamps is being shared with the hashtag #JohnLewis, and you can view the ceremony at John Lewis Commemorative Forever® Stamp Dedication Ceremony – YouTube.
Insights in telling the story of this stamp can also be found on the Postal Service’s Facebook and Twitter pages at facebook.com/USPS, and twitter.com/usps.
“Look carefully at how the shadow falls on the right side of his face, illuminating the left side, in a way that seems to take the viewer from darkness into the light. A fitting tribute to a man who sought to awaken the conscience of a country,” said Ronald A. Stroman, a member of the U.S. Postal Service Board of Governors and dedicating official for the stamp. “The Postal Service is proud to celebrate Lewis — a national treasure — and to honor his legacy with the tribute of this Forever stamp that is as beautiful visually as was the spirit of the man whose image it bears.”
Present at the Stroman ceremony were Alfre Woodard, serving as the mistress of ceremonies, Lawrence Edward Carter Sr., who is a professor and the founding dean of the Martin Luther King, Jr., International Chapel at Morehouse College, John-Miles Lewis, the son of John Lewis, Linda Earley Chastang, president and CEO of the John and Lillian Miles Lewis Foundation, Michael Collins, who chairs the board for the John and Lillian Miles Lewis Foundation, and U.S. Senator Raphael Warnock.
The stamp showcases a photograph of John Lewis taken by Marco Grob for Time Magazine’s August 26, 2013, issue, with Lewis’s name positioned at the bottom. The words “USA” and “Forever” are displayed in the top left corner of the stamp, and it was designed by Derry Noyes, an art director for USPS.
Background on John Lewis
John Lewis played a pivotal role in the Civil Rights Movement, spearheading the Nashville Student Movement, chairing the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, participating as an original Freedom Rider, and delivering a keynote speech at the historic 1963 March on Washington.
Despite facing hatred and violence, Lewis remained unwavering in his commitment to what he called “good trouble.”
Dedicated to achieving equality and justice for all Americans, Lewis served over 30 years in the U.S. House of Representatives, where he steadfastly defended and advanced civil rights achievements from the 1960s. He was a staunch advocate for nonviolent protests and received over 50 honorary degrees. Time magazine referred to him as a “saint,” and his colleagues often called him “the conscience of the Congress.”
Throughout his life, Lewis held various positions, including executive director of the Voter Education Project, associate director of ACTION (the federal volunteer agency overseeing the Peace Corps and Volunteers in Service to America), and a member of the Atlanta City Council.
He was also the author of several best-selling books, including the “March” comic book series and the inspiring autobiography “Walking With the Wind.”
Elected to represent Georgia in the U.S. House of Representatives in 1986, Lewis garnered the support needed to pass the Civil Rights Act of 1991, sponsored the legislation that created the 54-mile Selma-to-Montgomery National Historic Trail, and worked for more than a decade to establish the National Museum of African American History and Culture on the National Mall in Washington, DC. He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor, by President Barack Obama.
SOURCE: goodblacknews.org