2/6/10 Rep. Lewis And Chief Justice Sears HonoredPosted By - Erika Facey-Palmer; 11 Alive.comATLANTA -- Thousands gathered at the Berean SDA Church in Northwest Atlanta on Saturday for the Black History Month celebration that honored former Chief Justice Leah Ward Sears and Congressman John Lewis.Dr. Carlton P. Byrd, pastor of the Berean Seventh-Day Adventist Church, led the ceremony as he talked about the distinguisehd honorees who made impressions on the lives of many.Chief Sears accepted the award and said she felt it was her duty to serve her community in her position. When she was appointed to the Georgia Supreme Court, she was the first woman and youngest person. Later, she became the first woman to serve as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Georgia.As the ceremony continued, Dr. Byrd said it was a great honor to stand on the same pulpit with one who was beaten and incarcerated over forty times.Dr. Byrd greeted Cong. Lewis with a warm embrace as he came to accept the award for his achievments.Lewis is an icon of the Civil Rights Movement. In the sixties, he organized sit-in demonstrations at lunch counters in Nasville and Tennesee. He also participated in events such as the historic march from Selma to Montomery, Alabama to show the need for voting rights in the state.When he got ready speak, a hush fell over the crowd. Rep. Lewis said, "I accept this great honor on behalf of the brothers and sisters who stood up by sitting down."The congressman concluded his speech by saying, "our struggle, our suffering was not in vain... but there is still work to be done."