John,

Growing up, my parents owned and published a local African American newspaper, and my father Lucien was the president of the Illinois chapter of the NAACP. Some of my earliest memories include participating in marches, rallies, and protests alongside my parents – including the 1963 March on Washington alongside leaders like Dr. King, Roy Wilkins, Whitney Young, and my dearly departed colleague John Lewis.

That day – though I was too young to understand its importance – Dr. King delivered his famous “I Have A Dream” speech. Then, leaders of the march met with President John F. Kennedy and Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson at the White House – eventually leading to the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. 

Now, several years later, I find myself serving in Congress – standing on the shoulders of giants that came before us like Dr. King, Coretta Scott King, Rosa Parks, W.E.B. Du Bois, Ella Baker, and so many others. As a nation and a legislative body, we are currently facing the most coordinated attack on our voting rights since 1965’s passage of the Voting Rights Act.

This is a vital moment for my colleagues in Congress and in the Senate to decide which side of history they stand on. 

Will they support equal access to the ballot and free and fair elections for all Americans – and pass the voting rights legislation in the Senate that we have now passed multiple times in the U.S. House? 

Or will they preserve the status quo of hyperpartisan and cynical politics that have led to a downward spiral of attacks on voting rights in 19 states around the country since the 2020 elections alone?

In the coming days, we will see, John. In Georgia, we are watching and waiting as Republicans continue their attacks on our elections in an attempt to subvert our democracy ahead of the 2022 and 2024 elections, and because of gerrymandering – we are powerless to stop them without federal intervention. 

Regardless of the obstacles in our way, I want you to know that I am more committed than ever in my role as a Congresswoman to continue to fight for the legacy of Dr. King, and our civil rights and voting rights as Americans. Right now, we must put voting rights, justice, and equity at the center of our messaging, our communications, and our legislative fight. 

In solidarity,

– Lucy