Oregon leaders honor John Lewis as 'fierce warrior'

Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, who was elected to the House from the 1st District in 2012:

"The passing of Congressman John Lewis is a tremendous loss, not only for the Congress but for the entire country. John Lewis lived a life of struggle, sacrifice, and service, and he inspired generations of Americans with his calm yet fierce dedication to civil rights. It was a true honor to serve with him and to get to know him as a legislator and a colleague. Without exception, he was kind and patient with everyone in every situation.

"I will always remember walking across the Edmund Pettus Bridge with him on the 50th anniversary of Bloody Sunday, and the nation will always remember the significance of the original walk across that bridge during which John was beaten and bloodied. As the nation reckons with centuries of systemic racism, we owe a great debt to John Lewis and the 'good trouble' he made in the civil rights movements of the past and present.

"To honor John Lewis in the words he often said: We will never give up, we will never give in, and we will always keep the faith."