U.S. Navy to name ship in honor Of Civil Rights Icon John Lewis

The U.S. Navy has announced that it will name a new ship after civil rights leader and U.S. Rep. John Lewis.

With Lewis in attendance, Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus on Wednesday named the first ship of the next generation of fleet replenishment oilers the USNS John Lewis during a ceremony held at the Cannon House Office Building in Washington. According to Mabus, other ships in the class will be named after fellow civil right activists.

Lewis, a Georgia Democratic Congressman, is an Alabama native who worked closely with Martin Luther King Jr. He was the first speaker during the 50th anniversary of the Selma-to-Montgomery march last year.

The U.S. Defense Department says a contract will be awarded for the ship this summer, with construction expected to begin in 2018.

Copyright 2016 The Associated Press