{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://web.archive.org/web/20140301093457/http://johnlewis.house.gov/press-release/rep-john-lewis-death-president-nelson-mandela", "Rep. John Lewis on the Death of President Nelson Mandela", "2013-12-05", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "GA", "John Lewis", "L000287", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "\u201cThe whole of humanity has lost one of the most beloved, admired, and inspiring leaders of the last century.\u00a0 Through his action in defense of human dignity, his unjust, brutal imprisonment, and his attempts to heal a nation he demonstrated to all of us that we must never become bitter or hostile.\u00a0 He showed us that we each, despite our tribulation, have the power to forgive, that we can be reconciled with the worst offender.\u00a0 When he walked out of prison with grace, dignity and pride, he taught us how to thrive as members of the human family.\n\u201cI had the opportunity to meet and talk with President Mandela on several occasions in South Africa and here in America. I remember as a student, hearing and reading about him long before the worldwide Free Mandela movement emerged.\u00a0 We identified with him.\u00a0 We identified with the struggle in South Africa, the Sharpville massacre, and were intimately aware of all the major events that occurred in the struggle against apartheid.\u00a0\n\u201cThe first time I had a chance to meet him was in South Africa after his release from prison.\u00a0 He gave me this unbelievable hug.\u00a0 I will never forget it.\u00a0 He said, \u201cJohn Lewis, I know all about you. You inspired us.\u201d\u00a0 I said, \u201cNo, Mr. Mandela, you inspired us.\u201d\u00a0 He said, \u201cThe struggle continues.\u201d\u00a0 I felt unworthy really to be standing at his side.\u00a0 I knew I was in the presence of greatness.\u00a0\n\u201cI attended his inauguration, spent time with him alone in the chambers of the U.S. Capitol before he addressed a joint session of Congress, and saw him several times when he came to meet the Congressional Black Caucus.\u00a0 The last time I saw him in the United States, he said he thought it would be his last journey across the water.\n\u201cPresident Nelson Mandela must be looked upon as modern-day saint.\u00a0 He was a giant of a man.\u00a0 Even those who opposed him could not help but admire and deeply respect him. His redemptive, unearned suffering, his dedication to the philosophy and discipline of non-violence, and his magnificent grace are a testimony to the power and endurance of the human spirit.\u00a0 He was one of those rare individuals, like Mohandas Gandhi or Martin Luther King Jr., who come along\u00a0 only once in a generation who are a blessing to all humanity.\u00a0 They teach us not just how to liberate the body, but how to free our minds and unleash the power of the human spirit.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140301093457/http://johnlewis.house.gov/press-release/rep-john-lewis-death-president-nelson-mandela"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.664416864514351, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}