A fitting honor!
Congressman John Lewis was a civil rights titan and a beacon of hope. His passing in 2020 has left a void that can never be filled, Lewis leaving us with a final call to “get in good trouble.” His enduring legacy remains, and so many tributes pour in posthumously for the giant. Yesterday, on the fourth anniversary of his passing, former President Barack Obama added to the pantheon of honors, announcing that the plaza at the Obama Presidential Center will officially be named in honor of John Lewis.
“John Lewis loved this country so much that he dedicated his life to making it better. And he inspired generations of Americans, including me, to try and live up to his example…Michelle and I are proud to honor John’s legacy at the Obama Presidential Center, where the John Lewis Plaza will provide a space for visitors to gather for years to come,” wrote Obama.
The official plaza renaming has been in the works for a number of years. In 2021, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos donated $100 million, the largest individual contribution at the time, in honor of the civil rights icon. Bezos requested the plaza be renamed in honor of Lewis, and the area is expected to welcome nearly a million visitors annually.
“Freedom fighters deserve a special place in the pantheon of heroes, and I can’t think of a more fitting person to honor with this gift than John Lewis, a great American leader and a man of extraordinary decency and courage. I’m thrilled to support President and Mrs. Obama and their Foundation in its mission to train and inspire tomorrow’s leaders,” Bezos said via press release.
Obama credited Lewis as a “source of wisdom and encouragement for him,” crediting his sacrifices as the reason he made history as the first African American President of the United States.
“I first met John when I was in law school, and told him then that he was one of my heroes. Years later, when I was elected a U.S. Senator, I made sure he knew that I stood on his shoulders. When I was elected President, I hugged John on the inauguration stand before I was sworn in, reminding him that I was only there because of the sacrifices he made. And over the years, he remained a source of wisdom and encouragement to me, Michelle, and our family,” said Obama.
“It’s our small way to honor the remarkable legacy of a gentle, courageous man who did as much as anyone to bring this country closer to our founding ideals,” he added.
The Obama Presidential Center featuring the John Lewis Plaza is currently set to open in spring 2026.
Cover Photo: Barack Obama Announces Renaming of Plaza at Obama Presidential Center in Honor of John Lewis/Photo Credit: Pete Souza/The White House