Description The son of an Alabama sharecropper, John Lewis experienced the injustice of segregation early in life. Inspired by the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Lewis joined with civil rights leaders who believed in fighting segregation peacefully, In the face of physical attacks, he persevered with dignity and a devotion to nonviolence, standing in the forefront of major civil rights protests and helping southern black people gain the right to vote. In 1986 Lewis was elected to represent Georgia in the United States Congress, where he continues to serve today. Lewis's passionate belief in justice is a beacon for all who wish to make our country a better place.