John,

Growing up during the civil rights movement, our dinner table regularly hosted heroes.

My father, Lucien Holman, worked as a dentist, and he was also the president of the local Illinois chapter of the NAACP during the height of the civil rights movement. From as early as I can remember, my parents instilled in me the value of standing up for what’s right.

My father with President Lyndon B. Johnson.

I joined them at marches, rallies, and protests in Illinois and across the country. I was even there at the legendary March on Washington led by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Never would I have imagined that I’d be serving my third term in Congress all these years later – as the Secretary of the Congressional Black Caucus, no less. But, all the moments watching my parents and their friends organizing for justice helped me form the values and vision I bring to the critical issues of our time, like the fight for gun safety.

This Black History Month, I’m honoring the folks who paved the way for people like me. Legends like Dr. King, Shirley Chisolm, Coretta Scott King, my friend the late Rep. John Lewis, and of course, my father.

Without their sacrifices, I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to represent the people of Georgia in Congress. Fighting for my community is the honor of a lifetime.

With love,

Lucy