Congressman John Lewis At The Edward M. Kennedy Institute

Yesterday was another reason that I love living on Mashpee-Wakeby Lake. - I am  only about 90 minutes from  the Edward M. Kennedy Institute on Columbia Point and so was easily able to go  see my hero, Congressman John Lewis.  Even though it was close to 100 degrees and I was afraid that my car would explode, I determinedly made the trek to see this wonderful, wonderful man. And I was not disappointed - in fact, in person Congressman Lewis is even more gracious and kind than on television, if that is possible. Just a wonderful person to see up close and personal.


 I got there 90 minutes early so that I could sit in the senate chamber  and stood in line for about 30 minutes.  After registering, I got a seat  in the gallery of the chamber, opposite the podium, so my view was excellent. By the way, there was such an overflow crowd that those who could not sit in the senate chamber had to view this event in another room with flat screens.


 What made this event even more special to me is that I ran into a friend that I met at the Dedication of the Institute. It was so good to see each other - we bring back epic memories of that wonderful day in March.  And I was able to talk with so many people sitting next to me and get their views on what is happening to our world.  Only the most interesting people attend these events.



At precisely 6:00 p.m, Dr.  Jean MacCormack, Vicki Kennedy and Congressman Lewis came into the Senate Chamber.  We all stood and applauded and applauded and applauded.  To be in the same room with Congressman Lewis was so emotional.   I think he was overwhelmed by our loving response to him, too.



After Dr. MacCormack gave her warm  introduction, the magnificent Vicki Kennedy welcomed the Congressman so eloquently. She emphasized his bravery - he has been jailed forty times before his election as Congressman, and five times while in office.   She also talked about his beautiful friendship with Senator Kennedy.  Mrs. Kennedy was so moving and genuine in her loving feelings for Congressman Lewis.


  Then Adrian Walker of the Boston Globe interviewed the great man, asking him questions about civil rights and the people he was close to during the 1960's, including, of course, another of my heroes, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  At the end, Congressman Lewis and Adrian Walker hugged.  There was not a dry eye in the place.  Most importantly,  Congressman Lewis emphasized that we must be kinder to each other - that the world we are living in is so hard right now.  What a man!  What an event. When I emailed Adrian Walker about my happiness at being at the Institute for this interview, he wrote back, "It was amazing!!"  Indeed - for all of us who were there.

Just want to add that Congressman Lewis is no longer my hero - he has endorsed HRC and said he had not seen the great Bernie at any marches in the 1960's.  Then he recanted that statement.  Obviously, Congressman Lewis is not the great man that I thought he was.



Below are some pictures.  They bring back such a wonderful hour in my life.