b'OPINIONMourning A HeroBy Governor Jared Polis that John carried his entire life.I encourage everyone to read his last words (see article below), which were T oday, I joined millions of Americanspublishedinnewspapersacrossthe in grieving and mourning the losscountry today. of a giant: the late civilHewrote,inpart, rightsheroandmythatDemocracyisnot friend,Congressmanastate.Itisanact, John Lewis. andeachgeneration Servingalongsidemust do its part to help John Lewis in the Housebuild what we called the ofRepresentativeswasBelovedCommunity,a one of the great honorsnation and world society ofmylifeanhonorat peace with itself.IsharewithmanyofAndnowasJohn my former colleagues inpassesthetorch,the Congress. bestwaytohonorhis Johnwasntjustlegacyistocontinue acivilrightshero,orfightingforthethings anelectedofficialhehestoodforequal-wastheconscienceofity, justice, civil rights, ournation.WhenJohnhumanrights,voting spoke,everyonelis- rights,andsomany tened.Anditsbecauseweknewhisotheridealsthatournationstrives words carried real weight the weightto live up to. We need to continue to borne by generations upon generationsworktogethertobuildthatBeloved yearning to be free and to realize theCommunitythatJohnspenthislife fullpromiseofAmerica.Theweightworking to create.OPINIONLast WordsAmerican political legend and hero, John Lewis, took the time in his final days to write a heart feltessaytothepeopleofthe United States. Passing the torch that he had carried for so many years.Hisincrediblymoving and inspirational essay that fol-lows was published in the New York Times and on other news outlet website on the day of his funeral. By John LewisW hile my time here has now cometoanend,Iwant youtoknowthatinthelast days and hours of my life you inspired me. You filled me with hopeaboutthenextchapter ofthegreatAmericanstory when you used your power to make a difference in our soci-ety.Millionsofpeoplemoti-vatedsimplybyhumancom-passion laid down the burdens of division. Around the country andtheworldyousetaside race, class, age, language and nationalitytodemandrespect for human dignity.ThatiswhyIhadtovisit BlackLivesMatterPlazain Washington,thoughIwas admittedtothehospitalthe following day. I just had to see and feel it for myself that, after manyyearsofsilentwitness, the truth is still marching on.EmmettTillwasmy GeorgeFloyd.Hewas myRayshardBrooks, Continued on Page 228 AUGUST 2020 BOCNEWS.com'