Collins, Hickenlooper, Scott, Ossoff, Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Promote John Lewis’

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Tim Scott (R-SC), and Jon Ossoff (D-GA) introduced The John Lewis Civil Rights Fellowship Act, bipartisan, bicameral legislation to establish a new fellowship within the Fulbright Scholarship Program. The John Lewis Civil Rights Fellowship will support Americans in the study of nonviolent civil rights movements abroad.

“Congressman John Lewis was a civil rights icon who changed history at great personal sacrifice,” said Senator Collins. “In 2015, I was honored to be among those who joined him in Selma to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Bloody Sunday March that he led.  By supporting the study of nonviolent civil rights movements, this new fellowship would honor his legacy.”

“There’s no better way to honor the giant that John Lewis was than to support young people following in his trailblazing footsteps,” said Senator Hickenlooper.

“Congressman John Lewis’ work during the Civil Rights movement paved the way for me and so many other Black Americans to reach opportunities we never could have imagined. I am proud to be a part of this bipartisan effort to honor his legacy and carry on the work of making America the land of opportunity for generations to come,” said Senator Scott.

“Congressman Lewis' life-long commitment to civil rights, nonviolence, and universal human dignity remain essential to local, national, and global progress. No one's ideas or approach to public life have had more of an impact on me than Congressman Lewis’. This bipartisan legislation will ensure the Congressman's vision for a better world remains an inspiration for future generations,” said Senator Ossoff.

The J. William Fulbright Scholarship Project is the largest U.S. international exchange program, sending over 370,000 young Americans abroad since its creation in 1946. The John Lewis Civil Rights Fellowship would promote studies, research, and international exchange in the subject of nonviolent movements that established and protected civil rights around the world.

U.S. Representative Nikema Williams, who now represents Lewis’ longtime congressional district in Georgia, and Representative Nancy Mace introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives.

The full bill text is available HERE.