WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., today released the following statement on the passing of Congressman John Lewis, D-Ga:

“Congressman John Lewis was a leader who challenged the status quo and helped change our nation for the better. It was an honor to speak alongside him at the Ole Miss dedication of the James Meredith statue in 2006. Gayle and I were honored to participate in a pilgrimage last year to tour civil rights landmarks in Alabama and to march across the Edmund Pettus bridge with this icon of the movement. He was a principled gentleman and a friend. He will be missed.”