Press Releases

Little Rock, Ark. — Today, Rep. French Hill (AR-02) joined America’s News Headquarters to talk about the legacy of his friend, Rep. John Lewis. In his interview with Alicia Acuna, Rep. Hill spoke about his treasured times with Rep. Lewis, like walking across the Edmund Pettus bridge during the 50th Anniversary of the Marches from Selma to Montgomery; learning that the Navy was naming a ship after Rep. Lewis; and working together on the House floor to expand the Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site.

To watch Rep. Hill’s full interview on Fox News, click HERE or on the image below. 

Rep. Hill on his thoughts and memories about Rep. Lewis:

"John Lewis was an icon. He'll always be remembered in the House. He was a good friend and I was so gratified that Martha and I were able to cross that Selma bridge with John Lewis, President Obama, and President Bush on the 50th anniversary back in 2015, it was a touching moment, and one that I'll take the rest of my life as one of my treasured memories in politics." 

Rep. Hill on his work with Rep. Lewis to expand to the the Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site:

"John was inspired by the Little Rock Nine that integrated Central High School back in September 1957. It was a frightening time. The national guard was called out and activated by President Eisenhower to integrate Central High, and John told me in a very emotional exchange we had on the House floor, that he felt Central High was hallowed ground, that he was inspired by the Little Rock Nine, that led him to be so active and become and a hero, and an activist and an icon less than 10 years later. We expanded the Central High National Historic Site together by including the houses that front Central High and it will be a lasting memory to his bipartisan work in the House." 

Rep. Hill on Rep. Lewis' legacy: 

"The House is a poorer place without John Lewis' beautiful voice and his beautiful message that brought our House together and so we'll miss John Lewis, but he lives on with the leadership he delivered in the 1960's, his three decades in Congress, and now the [USNS] John Lewis will sail the seas as a new class of naval vessel and we'll be talking about John Lewis for many decades to come."