Prayer Vigil Held For Civil Rights Leader Rep. John Lewis

ATLANTA, GA — A special prayer vigil was held Sunday for Atlanta congressman and civil rights activist John Lewis. A group of about 40, including City Council President Felicia Moore, gathered at the APEX Museum, reports WSB-TV.

Although Lewis announced his stage four pancreatic cancer diagnosis last month, he said then that he planned to return soon to Washington, D.C., to begin treatment and resume work on Capitol Hill. Last Friday the congressman was on the House floor to cast his vote with Democrats for a resolution that would limit President Donald Trump's power to initiate war against Iran. It was his first time back on the floor since announcing the diagnosis.

He learned he has cancer after a routine medical visit.

Lewis is a member of the Democratic Party leadership in the House and has served as a chief deputy whip since 1991 and senior chief deputy whip since 2003. He has been awarded many honorary degrees, including the highest civilian honor of the United States, the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Georgia's 5th Congressional District includes parts of Fulton, DeKalb and Clayton counties, including most of the city of Atlanta. Other cities in the 5th District include Brookhaven, Decatur and South Fulton.