Two political leaders who are also on the front lines in the fight against injustice and bigotry are remembering Rep. John Lewis, the civil rights leader who died Friday after battling cancer.

By all accounts Rep. Lewis was a tireless fighter and a defender of equal rights for all, regardless of the color of their skin. That is why his passing is felt so deeply by those who mourn his loss, including state Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, who spoke with News 12 on Saturday.

MORE: Remembering John Lewis, rights icon and 'American hero' 

"Congressman Lewis' life was the epitome of selflessness,” she said. “He was willing to put his life on the line in every possible way in order to achieve equality and justice. He never stopped fighting until the very last moment of his life. I hope it inspires us all to double our efforts to make sure that bigotry and hatred don't win in our society, whatever form it takes."

Those who knew and worked with the civil rights leader said his death must not signal an end to the war on racism. They say recent marches and demonstrations throughout the world signal that there is still much work to be done.

Reginald Lafayette, the Westchester County Democratic Committee chairman, says his legacy to young people will be “never stop fighting. Keep on marching.”

Rep. Lewis announced he was battling stage 4 pancreatic cancer in December. He was 80 years old.