PHOTO PROVIDED Edward Rymsza, left, and John Lewis during the first visit in 2007.

PHOTO PROVIDED
Edward Rymsza’s son, Noah, interviewing John Lewis for a school project.

PHOTO PROVIDED
The last visit between Edward Rymsza and John Lewis.

Many US citizens praise his work for being life-changing, including Edward “E.J.” Rymsza, a local criminal defense lawyer, who met Lewis in 2007 and remained in close contact throughout his life.

Rymsza had much to say about his “brother,” Lewis. He celebrated Lewis’ mission, his demeanor and effort while working for his district.

“I think his work as a civil-rights icon and the way this guy lived his life. He practiced what he preached. It was all about love and compassion and really recognizing the humanity in each and every one of us,” Rymsza said.

The two first met after Rymsza’s wife made a bid on an auction to meet Lewis in Washington D.C. in 2007 and he won.

He and his family traveled down to D.C. to meet with Lewis for the first time.

Lewis and Rymsza sat in his office and went to lunch, having “incredible conversations about Dr. King, his work as a civil-rights leader, the March on Washington” and so much more.

“At one point, I really just felt myself getting choked up,” Rymsza said.

Lewis then invited Rymsza’s family over and gave the kids different gifts from Lewis’ district of Atlanta.

The relationship continued as Lewis spoke to one of Rymsza’s daughter’s high school history class over Skype, and allowed Rymsza’s son, Noah, to interview him for another history project, sharing stories from his life.

“The last time I met up with him, he hugged me and called me his brother,” Rymsza said. “He always made time for me. It was one of those moments I will never forget. He just was an incredible human being.”

Rymsza also had some last words for Lewis.

“I would just want to thank him for his work,” he said. “I would want to call him my brother. He certainly was a light. He was just a beautiful human being.”