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Civil rights icon John Lewis says he'll fight tears as Obama takes oath on Lincoln Bible on MLK Day
Rep. John Lewis, a leading figure in the 1960s civil rights movement, hopes the sight of President Obama being inaugurated on the Martin Luther King Jr. federal holiday doesn't turn him into a waterworks.
"I'm going to do everything I can to keep from crying," Lewis, D-Ga., told USA TODAY's Marisol Bello. "Four years ago, I just cried and cried."
Lewis told USA TODAY that Obama's second inauguration is especially poignant because the president will take the oath on the Bible used by President Abraham Lincoln at his inauguration in 1861. If today's date weren't already about history, Lewis said, then the link from Lincoln to King to the nation's first black president gives the inauguration a little something extra.
"Lincoln freed the slaves, and King freed a nation," Lewis said.
read: http://usat.ly/10gEGUb #inaug2013
CherokeeDem
(3,709 posts)These are certainly tears of joy...and thanks that Barack Obama has been re-elected. Otherwise, my tears today would be of despair.
Today is a good day...
lunatica
(53,410 posts)The first time I actually felt a swell of pride in being an American per se was with MLK Jr. I felt, and still feel lucky to be a fellow American of his.
Evergreen Emerald
(13,069 posts)He is an American icon. The fact that he is alive and well and able to participate in this day, moves me to tears.
dixiegrrrrl
(60,010 posts)I have my differences about some of the this Admin's policies, but cannot deny the importance of having Pres. Obama elected not just once, but twice!
MoonRiver
(36,926 posts)John Lewis, go ahead and cry for joy! You're one of the reasons this is happening!
sheshe2
(83,319 posts)You will not be alone!
ReRe
(10,597 posts)Thank you John Lewis, for you humble forgiving soul.
You are one of the most precious heavenly "assets" to be found in in the U.S.A. today!
I salute you, dear Sir!
lastlib
(22,978 posts)A proud K & R for your post!
ReRe
(10,597 posts)... a quote from Alex Haley, which was used today by the Senator from Tennessee in the Inauguration Ceremony.
There is a mountain of good in the soul of Representative John Lewis. He is the one who forgave George Wallace for Wallace's horrendous words at his gubernatorial inauguration ceremony: "Segregation today, segregation tomorrow, and segregation forever!"