The Honorable John Lewis impacted my life beyond my full understanding but I’ll always strive for his optimism and endless efforts to ensure our nation fulfills its promises.

Too many young Americans are cynical or disenchanted and we must respond like the Honorable John Lewis: ceaselessly fighting through activism, elections and policy.

 As President Barack Obama said “John Lewis will be a Founding Father of that fuller, fairer, better America.”

I encourage you to read President Obama’s full speech or watch it if you can. You deserve to feel hope for the future of our nation.

Let us honor that legacy and keep fighting for our ideals for a more perfect Union