Pelosi Delivers Emotional Tribute to Civil Rights Icon John Lewis

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) fought back tears while delivering remarks honoring Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.), a civil rights icon.

During Lewis’ memorial on Thursday, Pelosi spoke to the relationship he had with other members of Congress and his leadership throughout his life.

Pelosi recognized Lewis’ efforts to convince both senior and freshman members of Congress they were his “best friends.”

As she illustrated the scene of a flag flying overhead as Lewis died, Pelosi became emotional.

“We come with a flag flown over the Capitol the night that John passed. When this flag flew there, it said goodbye. It waved goodbye to John. Our friend, our mentor, our colleague. This beautiful man that we all had the privilege of serving with in the Congress of the United States,” Pelosi said.

Watch her remarks below:

She went on to offer condolences to Lewis’ family.

Pelosi additionally described the impact Lewis had on Americans.

“When he spoke, people listened. When he led, people followed. We loved him very much. As his official family, we mourn him greatly. He shared so much about his love for his district, his family,” Pelosi said.

She called Lewis “humorous” as he “loved” to dance and make “us” laugh.

Pelosi explained her granddaughter asked Lewis if he ever sang in the civil rights movement.

“He said, ‘They asked me to sing solo one time. So low so that nobody could hear me,'” Pelosi said.