Folks,

Being raised in the birthplace of our nation’s Civil and Voting Rights Movement taught me that every generation is challenged to pick up where the last generation left off and continue the fight for progress.

We all owe so much to the activists and visionaries of the Voting Rights Movement. These Foot Soldiers were unafraid as they marched across the Edmund Pettus Bridge and openly challenged centuries of oppression -- daring folks across the country to bear witness and stand with them.

One of those brave Foot Soldiers became my dear friend and mentor, John. R. Lewis, whose legacy and commitment to protecting every citizen’s voice and vote will never be forgotten.

Now that responsibility falls on all of us.

State legislatures across the country have been rapidly introducing bills to keep marginalized communities from voting -- infringing on our very democracy.

It’s because of these assaults on our voting rights that I introduced H.R. 4, the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act.

This bill honors the legacy of my dear friend and colleague, Rep. John Lewis, by restoring the full protections of the original Voting Rights Act and ensuring that our democracy lives up to its ideals of justice and equality for all.

There is still a lot of work left to do to finish the fight for progress that the Voting Rights Foot Soldiers started -- but many hands make light work.

It’s time for all of us to pick up the baton and continue the fight for voting rights.

Let’s get to work,

Terri Sewell