John,

I have been filled with such a range of emotions this Black History Month.

This is always a time that brings back memories of my father, Lucien Holman. He inspired me and instilled in me a commitment to public service and community. He gave back in so many ways — as a dentist, as the owner of a local Black newspaper, and as president of the Illinois chapter of the NAACP.

He dedicated himself to the struggle for civil rights and had the honor of sitting with President Johnson at the White House when he signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964. I remember as a little girl going to rallies, protests, and marches alongside my dad and civil rights leaders like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

I stand on the shoulders of so many giants, and I’ve been reflecting on those we lost this past year. Personal heroes of mine like Congressman John Lewis and Rev. C. T. Vivian. I am still so humbled that I had the privilege of calling John a mentor, then a colleague and a friend.

I would not be able to do the work I do and have a voice in our nation’s Capitol without the work they did.

We also made history as my friend Kamala Harris was sworn in as our first Black Vice President — also making her the highest-ranking woman in our nation’s history. Another ceiling shattered. And then as one of her first official acts, she swore in Reverend Warnock as Georgia’s first Black senator.

But as is far too often the case, our progress revealed other challenges. Vice President Harris’ departure from the Senate left the body without a single Black woman.

It is just one of many things from the last year that shows us how much work remains. The coronavirus pandemic is shining a bright light on the economic and health disparities that exist in this nation for Black communities.

We also had precious lives taken from us too early. Breonna Taylor. George Floyd. And Georgia’s son Ahmaud Arbery, who died a year ago this coming Tuesday. I understand their families tragedies on a deeply personal level that I pray others never experience.

But that will require work. History teaches us that progress does not happen overnight, and it is not handed to us. We must fight for it.

So our struggle continues. I will not rest until there is justice and equity for all of us, and I hope I can count on you to continue this work alongside me.

- Lucy McBath