A Virginia high school named after Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee will replace its name to pay tribute to the late Rep. John Lewis.
The Fairfax County School Board voted on the change on Thursday, making the rename effective for the 2020-2021 school year.
A one-month period of public input was held prior to the board’s decision on the new name for the school, which was sparked by public concern over it being named for Lee.
“The name Robert E. Lee is forever connected to the Confederacy, and Confederate values are ones that do not align with our community,” said Lee District School Board member Tamara Derenak Kaufax, who was one of those who proposed the name change.
School Board Chairwoman Ricardy Anderson said Lewis was a choice that reflected the diversity and multiculturalism of the school and community that they wanted to highlight.
“Rep. Lewis was a champion of the Civil Rights movement, and our Board strongly believes this is an appropriate tribute to an individual who is a true American hero,” Anderson said. “We will also honor his life’s work by continuing to promote equity, justice, tolerance, and service in the work that we do.”
Lewis died last week at the age of 80 after battling Stage 4 pancreatic cancer. He was known for his leadership in advocating for civil rights and improving race relations in the country as an activist and lawmaker. He is expected to lie in state in the U.S. Capitol on Monday and Tuesday.
