John Robert Lewis, civil rights legend and longtime Georgia congressman, died on Friday night, following a six-month battle with cancer. He was 80 years old.

President Donald Trump ordered that our nation’s flag be flown at half-staff on Saturday, to honor the “longstanding public service” of Congressman John Lewis.

Congressman John Lewis

Vice President Mike Pence issued the following statement on Mr. Lewis and his legacy:

“Congressman John Lewis was a great man whose courage and decades of public service changed America forever, and he will be deeply missed. John Lewis will be remembered as a giant of the civil rights movement whose selflessness and conviction rendered our nation into a more perfect union and his example will inspire generations of Americans.

“While John Lewis will be rightly remembered as an icon of the civil rights movement, for me he was also a colleague and a friend. Even when we differed, John was always unfailingly kind and my family and I will never forget the privilege of crossing the Edmund Pettus Bridge at his side on the 45th anniversary of Bloody Sunday.

“Karen and I and send our prayers and deepest sympathies to his family and friends and all who mourn the passing of this good and great man. May God bless the memory of John Lewis and may his example ever inspire.”