The steps leading up to the east front of the United States Capitol building were previously known as the Capitol steps. However, in July 2022, Congress passed legislation officially renaming them the John Lewis Steps, in honor of the late civil rights leader and congressman John Lewis.
Quick Summary
The Capitol steps were renamed to honor John Lewis, a civil rights icon and long-serving member of Congress, after his death in 2020. The steps are now officially called the John Lewis Steps. This name change was approved with bipartisan support in July 2022.
Who was John Lewis?
John Lewis (1940-2020) was a civil rights leader and Democratic member of Congress best known for his activism in the 1960s. Some key facts about his life and career:
- Born in 1940 in Troy, Alabama
- As a young man, helped organize the 1963 March on Washington
- At age 23, was a keynote speaker at the March on Washington, standing beside Martin Luther King Jr.
- One of the original 13 Freedom Riders who protested segregated bus terminals in the South
- Endured violent attacks and multiple arrests while peacefully protesting for civil rights in the 1960s
- Elected to Congress in 1986, represented Georgia’s 5th district for over 30 years
- Remained a vocal advocate for voting rights and racial justice throughout his life
- Died at age 80 after battling pancreatic cancer, in July 2020
Lewis played a pivotal role in the civil rights movement of the 1960s as one of its youngest leaders. He dedicated his life to nonviolent activism and went on to have a long career as a respected member of Congress. Many Americans considered him the “conscience of Congress” until his death in 2020.
Why Were the Capitol Steps Renamed for John Lewis?
There were several key reasons why Congress chose to rename the iconic Capitol steps in honor of John Lewis after his death:
- To recognize Lewis’ extraordinary contributions to civil rights and nonviolent activism
- To memorialize his 63 years of public service as an activist and congressman
- To celebrate how far the country has come because of the work of Lewis and other civil rights pioneers
- To inspire future generations with Lewis’ legacy of making “good trouble”
- To make a symbolic statement on racial justice after Lewis’ death during the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests
Many members of Congress considered it particularly fitting to rename the steps for Lewis when reflecting on his life. As a young man, Lewis helped organize the March on Washington in 1963, where Martin Luther King Jr. gave his “I Have a Dream” speech from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. It seemed a appropriate way to honor Lewis’ role in that event and the civil rights movement overall.
When Did the Name Change Happen?
Here is a brief timeline of events leading to the renaming of the Capitol steps for John Lewis:
- July 2020 – John Lewis passes away at age 80 after battling pancreatic cancer
- July 17, 2020 – Members of Congress introduce a bill to rename the Capitol steps for Lewis
- July 22, 2020 – The bill passes unanimously in the Senate
- December 3, 2020 – The House passes the bill to rename the steps
- July 13, 2022 – President Biden signs the bill into law
- July 15, 2022 – The Architect of the Capitol formally rededicates the steps as the John Lewis Steps
While the legislation was introduced quickly after Lewis’ death in the summer of 2020, the formal renaming process took about two years. This involved passing resolutions in both houses of Congress and creating new signage. The steps were officially dedicated as the John Lewis Steps in a July 2022 ceremony.
What Was the Final Vote to Rename the Steps?
The bill to rename the iconic Capitol building steps for civil rights icon John Lewis passed both chambers of Congress essentially unopposed.
Here is how the final votes broke down:
- Senate: Approved by unanimous consent on July 22, 2020. This means no senator objected to the bill.
- House: Passed by voice vote on December 3, 2020. As with unanimous consent, a voice vote indicates no outright opposition.
The bipartisan support for renaming the steps demonstrated Congress’ deep respect and admiration for John Lewis across party lines. While legislative processes often descend into partisan disputes in the contemporary era, honoring Lewis’ legacy was widely viewed as above politics.
How Was the Dedication Ceremony?
On July 15, 2022, a dedication ceremony was held to formally mark the renaming of the steps as the John Lewis Steps. Here are some details about the ceremony:
- Held at the east front of the Capitol building in Washington D.C.
- Included speeches honoring Lewis from Congressional leaders like Nancy Pelosi and James Clyburn
- Lewis’ family members were in attendance, including his sister Rosa Tyner
- Musical interludes were performed by the Howard University Choir
- Crowd of bipartisan lawmakers and dignitaries gave Lewis’ family a standing ovation
- New signage reading “The John Lewis Steps” was unveiled by Architect of the Capitol
The renaming ceremony provided a moving tribute to Lewis’ life and served as a symbolic moment in memorializing his contributions to civil rights and American history. The prominent signage also ensures that all who visit the iconic Capitol steps will learn about Lewis’ legacy.
Who Supported the Decision to Rename the Steps?
The bipartisan bill to rename the Capitol steps for John Lewis had broad support from Congressional members across the political spectrum. Some of the key advocates and co-sponsors included:
- House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA)
- Congressman James Clyburn (D-SC), House Majority Whip
- Former Congressman John Larson (D-CT) sponsored the House bill
- Senators Kamala Harris (D-CA) and Cory Booker (D-NJ) sponsored Senate bill
- House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) spoke in favor of the renaming
- Over 300 members sponsored or cosponsored the House or Senate bills
Supporters emphasized Lewis’ inspiring lifelong fight for justice and saw the renaming as a testament to how far civil rights in America have come thanks to him and other leaders in the movement. Some noted that the Capitol steps were a fitting honor as Lewis spent decades walking those same steps as a member of Congress.
Who Opposed the Renaming Decision?
There was minimal public opposition or controversy regarding the renaming of the iconic Capitol steps for civil rights leader John Lewis after his passing. A few perspectives included:
- Some conservative activists argued Lewis was too partisan a figure to name a symbol like the Capitol steps for.
- A couple of Republican members of Congress abstained from voting but did not openly oppose the decision.
- Some historians suggested renaming steps overshadowed by violence against Black Americans could detract from Lewis’ nonviolent stance.
- A few scholars questioned whether the Capitol steps were the best memorial for Lewis versus something focused on his life and work.
However, none of these perspectives represented strong or widespread opposition. Overall, the renaming had broad bipartisan agreement as a way to honor an American hero like John Lewis.
How Has the Public Reacted?
Overall, renaming the iconic Capitol building steps for civil rights leader John Lewis has been received very positively by the American public.
Some reactions have included:
- Widespread praise across social media and news outlets when the change was announced.
- Support from civil rights organizations like the NAACP and the King Center.
- Backing from student activists involved in recent racial justice protests.
- Appreciation from many Congressional visitors to the Capitol.
- Strong approval ratings in polls, with most Americans agreeing it was a fitting tribute.
Critiques have been scattered, with most people agreeing that Lewis deserves this recognition. Many have remarked that it is a tangible reminder of Lewis’ remarkable life anytime they walk up the historic steps.
How Does Lewis’ Family Feel?
John Lewis’ family has expressed gratitude and support for renaming the iconic Capitol steps in his honor.
Some comments from his family members include:
- His sister Rosa Tyner said she was “overjoyed” by the decision to rename the steps for her brother.
- Brother Henry Lewis called it “a great honor” that John would have appreciated.
- Nephew Marcus Tyner said it signified John’s contributions to all Americans, beyond just their family.
- Family representatives spoke at the July 2022 dedication ceremony in praise of the renaming.
Lewis’ family seems deeply moved that his selfless work for justice is being recognized through this symbolic and public renaming. They emphasize this is about more than just their relative – it acknowledges civil rights progress that improved life for all people in America.
Does This Name Change Set a Precedent?
The renaming of the Capitol steps for John Lewis does not necessarily set a major precedent for other memorial namings, for several reasons:
- Lewis is considered a uniquely historic civil rights figure who impacted the entire nation.
- His connection to the Capitol steps made this specific renaming sensible.
- It recognized Lewis’ many decades as a member of Congress.
- The bipartisan, near-unanimous support was rare and reflected Lewis’ legacy.
- Other memorial namings for individuals still require their own legislation and debates.
While Lewis is incredibly worthy of this honor, each memorial naming has its own considerations. The circumstances making this renaming appropriate are not easily replicated. Any future efforts will likely be discussed case-by-case based on the specific merits.
Conclusion
Renaming the iconic Capitol building steps for civil rights pioneer John Lewis was a widely celebrated, bipartisan effort to memorialize his profound impact on the United States. Following Lewis’ death in 2020, Congress quickly moved to dedicate the steps in his honor as the John Lewis Steps. This prominent tribute has been praised for inspiring future generations with Lewis’ legacy and serving as a powerful symbol of racial justice progress. While Lewis clearly deserved this rare recognition, the circumstances were unique and do not necessarily set a precedent for other memorial namings going forward. However, visitors to the Capitol for generations to come will walk up the John Lewis Steps as a reminder of one man’s tireless fight for freedom and equality.
| Key Steps in the Renaming Process | Important Dates |
|---|---|
| Introduction of initial bill in Congress | July 17, 2020 |
| Senate passage by unanimous consent | July 22, 2020 |
| House passage by voice vote | December 3, 2020 |
| Signing into law by President Biden | July 13, 2022 |
| Official renaming ceremony | July 15, 2022 |
John Lewis’ Biographical Timeline
| Year | Lewis Milestone |
|---|---|
| 1940 | Born in Troy, Alabama |
| 1963 | Key organizer of March on Washington, spoke alongside Dr. King |
| 1965 | Beaten by police during Selma march, helped pass Voting Rights Act |
| 1986 | Elected to Congress representing Atlanta, Georgia |
| 2020 | Died at age 80 after Pancreatic Cancer diagnosis |
| 2022 | Capitol Steps renamed John Lewis Steps in his honor |
John Lewis’ Congressional Legacy
During his over 30 years as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, John Lewis built an impressive legacy of fighting for civil rights and social justice. Some highlights of his Congressional career include:
- Vocal advocate for the Voting Rights Act, always pushing voting access and election reform bills.
- Led protests on the Capitol steps demanding action on issues like gun violence.
- Passionate supporter of health care reform to help all Americans.
- Continued pushing to make Martin Luther King Jr. Day a federal holiday until it was signed into law.
- Sponsored bills to honor civil rights landmarks like Selma, Alabama.
- Remained an active voice for nonviolence, love over hate well into his later years.
John Lewis demonstrated that the fight for justice did not end after the 1960s civil rights era. He carried on that mission with moral authority and courage throughout his time in Congress.
Quotes About Renaming the Steps for Lewis
Here are some inspirational quotes related to the renaming of the Capitol steps in honor of John Lewis:
- “John Lewis was a titan of the civil rights movement whose goodness, faith and bravery transformed our nation. Every day, may this stairway remind us of his courageous spirit.” – Nancy Pelosi, House Speaker
- “This is an enduring tribute befitting an American hero like John Lewis, a man who believed our right to vote was more valuable than his own life.” – James Clyburn, House Majority Whip
- “John Lewis put his life on the line for a more perfect union. It’s only fitting that we honor him by putting his name on a monument all who visit our Capitol will see.” – Cory Booker, Senator
- “With this honor, John Lewis takes his rightful place among our nation’s greatest leaders. His life paved the way for a better America.” – Rosa Tyner, Lewis’ sister
These quotes reflect the widespread admiration for Lewis and the significance of memorializing him in a spot he regularly walked during his distinguished career. The John Lewis Steps will remind people of his tireless fight for justice every single time they ascend them.
Conclusion
The legacy of civil rights icon John Lewis will forever be etched into the heart of American democracy through the renaming of the iconic Capitol steps in his honor. Lewis paved the way for racial justice during the 1960s movement and never stopped that work during his long Congressional career. The decision to officially dedicate the Capitol steps as the John Lewis Steps received bipartisan support and serves as a fitting tribute to his profound national impact. While Lewis clearly merited this rare recognition, each memorial naming has unique considerations. Still, honoring Lewis through this prominent public space he regularly walked makes a powerful statement about carrying on his mission. Visitors climbing the John Lewis Steps toward the U.S. Capitol will be reminded with each step of one exceptional man’s fight for the soul of a nation.
