The late civil rights icon and Georgia representative John Lewis was laid to rest on Thursday, but

he had one final thing to say.

John Lewis's last words appeared in The New York Times, in an essay titled,

Together You Can Redeem The Soul of Our Nation.

John Lewis wrote the essay shortly before his death and requested that it be published

on the Day of His Funeral.

I'm Tremendly, and this is Into America.

Today we're sharing those words read by a friend and admirer of John Lewis, Morgan Freeman,

on MSNBC's The Last Word with Lars O'Donnell.

While my time here has now come to an end,

I want you to know that in the last days and hours of my life, you inspired me.

You filled me with hope about the next chapter of the Great American story when you used

your power to make a difference in our society.

Millions of people motivated simply by human compassion laid down the burdens of division.

On the country and the world, you set aside race, class, age, language and nationality

to demand respect for human dignity.

That is why I had to visit Black Lives Matter Placer in Washington, though I was admitted

to the hospital the following day.

I just had to see and feel it for myself that after many years of silent witness to truth

is still marching on.

Emmett Till was my George Floyd.

He was my Rayshard Brooks, Sandra Bland and Brianna Taylor.

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