Congressman Cohen Remembers John Conyers, “the Conscience of the Congress”

WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09), a senior member of the Judiciary Committee on which Congressman John Conyers served with distinction for so long, remembered his friend and mentor today at his passing at 90 in Detroit.

Congressman Cohen made the following statement:

"John Conyers was a steadfast and principled leader, working 15 years to get the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. National Holiday passed into law, and was instrumental in passing my Congressional Apology for Slavery. Mr. Conyers, the longest-serving African American in Congress, was a respected and strong moral voice for the Congress and for the Congressional Black Caucus, which he helped found and chaired and served so well. The conscience of the Congress, he was, at the end of his career, its dean – its longest serving Member, and the sixth longest-serving Member in history. He taught me much about patience and tolerance and the big picture. He was a friendly, respectful and kind Member to Democrats and Republicans, the public and the press. His was a life well-lived, and he will be missed."