Lying in state for John Lewis at the Capitol Hill.

The lying in state ceremony for Late John Robert Lewis at the Rotunda of the Capitol Hill in Washington DC this Monday July 27, witnessed the presence of many lawmakers and VIPs who came to pay their last tribute to him. Among who were, Joe Biden, the Democratic Presidential nominee and wife Dr Jill Biden, house and senate majority leaders, Nancy Pelosi and Mitch McConnell and others. The guests were wearing masks and with six feet distancing as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic guidelines to stop any spread of the virus.

John Lewis, the first black congressman to lie in state at Capitol Hill Rotunda, was an American politician and civil-rights leader who served in the United States House of Representatives for Georgia’s 5th congressional district from 1987 until his death on July 17, 2020, in Atlanta, Georgia from pancreatic cancer. He was born on February 21, 1940 in Alabama and was married to Lillian Lewis who died in 2012. He is survived by a son, John Miles Lewis who was adopted at two months of age.

His casket was placed on top of Capitol Hill’s East front steps for public view from the ground level, on Monday (27) from 6pm to 10pm, with the presence of thousands of people on long queue using masks and six feet distancing as well and the public view will continue on Tuesday (28) from 8am to 10pm before departing Washington DC early morning of next day .

As the US President, Donald Trump said he will not visit the Capitol Hill to pay tribute to John Lewis, the Vice President and wife, Mike and Karen Pence paid their respects to Lewis later in the day .

By Niyi Fote/Thenews2