Washington, DC – At the closing session of American Jewish Committee’s (AJC) Annual Meeting in Washington, DC, Congressman John Lewis was presented the agency’s Moral Courage Award “in honor of the steadfast and fearless commitment to human dignity that you have demonstrated throughout a lifetime of public service.”

Lewis, a longstanding friend of AJC, and founding co-chair of Atlanta’s Black-Jewish Coalition, delivered a passionate acceptance speech recounting his role in the civil rights struggle.

“The Jewish community, more than any other segment of American society has been there, day in and day out has been in it since the beginning. I come here to say thank you for all of your help and for all of your support. We are all in the same boat...” Lewis continued “…we are all in the same boat. When you see bigotry or anti-Semitism, you have to speak out…and not be silent.” said Lewis.

Lewis was presented the Award by Tobyanne Sidman, a member of AJC’s National Board of Governors and longtime Atlanta resident who has strong ties to Cong. Lewis.

Past recipients of AJC’s Moral Courage Award include: Bangladeshi journalist Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury, Iraqi Politician Mithal Jamal Hussein Al-Alusi and former Dutch legislator Ayaan Hirsi Ali.

To view excerpts from his speech or to listen to the entire speech:

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