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Brothers,

A great and noble leader of our communities once said "I say to people today... you must be prepared if you believe in something. I you believe in something, you have to go for it. As individuals, we may not live to see the end." he also said, "you must be bold, brave, and courageous and find a way... to get in the way." That iconic leader, that same advocate for the people, that same architect of the civil rights movement from both the 20th and 21st century was Honorable Brother John R. Lewis.

As the struggle for civil rights continues in America even to this very day, our nation has lost this true giant in the cause. Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity does believe that Black Lives Matter and encourages everyone that is actively engaged in this fight for justice to understand that "when you see something that is not right, not fair, not just, you have to speak up. You have to say something, you have to do something!" (Another quote from Honorable Brother John R. Lewis). As a Fraternity, we grieve the nation's loss (no doubt!) but our hearts are so much heavier today because Honorable Brother John R. Lewis belongs to Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity and he will always be the epitome of what we do as a community service organization, what we do as an advocate for everyone in these United States of America and what we do as a "voice" for the marginalized and under-represented communities across the world!

Honorable Brother John R. Lewis, a US Congressman from the great State of Georgia and a leading figure in the battle for justice in America, transitioned into the Omega Chapter on Friday, July 17,2020.Honorable Brother John R. Lewis worked tirelessly for our rights and the rights of people of color for more than six decades, He received numerous accolades from other civil rights leaders, obtained more than 50 honorary degree from a host of distinguishes academic institutions (such as Howard University and Harvard University) and was awarded the prestigious Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama. Honorable Brother John R. Lewis joined Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity in 1974 though Lambda Sigma Chapter | Atlanta, GA and in 2017, was inducted in to our Distinguished Service Chapter during Conclave Detroit. That is the highest honor that Phi Beta Sigma can give to a hard-working Brother such as Honorable Brother John R. Lewis! As we morn his passing, we celebrate the life and legacy of a great American icon.

Honorable Brother John R. Lewis also said, " I want to see young people in America feel the spirit of the 1960's and find a way to get in the way. To find a way to get in trouble. Good trouble, necessary trouble." As a Brotherhood of Conscious Men Actively Serving Our Communities... Thank you, Honorable Brother John R. Lewis! You have fight the good fight. We, the Men of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., vow to continue your work for justice and equality!

Fraternally,

Honorable Bro. Micheal Cristal
International President
Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated