ASCAP, we write the songs, Valerie Simpson and John Lewis.

To all those who believe in democracy, in the rule of law, please raise your voices up in the name of freedom, against authoritarianism🇺🇸

Remembering my experience with John Lewis, I've been fortunate to cross paths with some amazing people, in the music, theater and political world.

In May of 2012, I was performing at the Library of Congress on keys, guitar, sax and vocals with some of the greatest songwriters of our time, in THE ASCAP Concert, “We Write The Songs” to lobby for protection of songwriters.

One of the greatest heroes of my generation came out in support of our cause, Congressman John Lewis, to introduce one of my favorite songwriters, Valerie Simpson, who had just lost her husband Nick Ashford, and co-writer.

Both of their words were so eloquent, Ashford & Simpson songs are the backbone of Soul and R&B, and appropriately, we closed the show with their "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" .

I met so many of our Senators and congressmen on this night, including Speaker Pelosi, but Being from Alabama, I especially wanted to express my gratitude to To John Lewis, who had to leave before the reception, and sadly I didn't get to speak with him. Here are his words and a few of Valerie's, and their mutual respect for each other.

Thank you ASCAP And the library of Congress for this opportunity. The whole performance available on youtube

I worked with Nancy Pelosi and Paul Williams, president and CEO of ASCAP for almost 10 years at the Library of Congress on keyboards and saxophone and vocals on American songwriters. The Congress is an amazing institution and so sorry this has become politicized. I work with some of the greatest writers of American music.

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The Trump administration fired the librarian of Congress, Dr. Carla D. Hayden, on Thursday, drawing swift outcry from Democrats. Dr. Hayden was the first African American and first woman to serve as the head of the institution.

Dr. Hayden, appointed as the 14th librarian of Congress by President Barack Obama in 2016, had overseen the library through President Trump’s first term. The library, the oldest government-run cultural institution in the United States, only rarely gets a new leader. Dr. Hayden was its first since 1987.

She was fired in a two-sentence email from Trent Morse, the deputy director of White House personnel, according to a screenshot released by Senator Martin Heinrich of New Mexico, the top Democrat on the Appropriations Subcommittee on the Legislative Branch.

“On behalf of President Donald J. Trump, I am writing to inform you that your position as the Librarian of Congress is terminated effective immediately,” the email said, without citing a cause. “Thank you for your service.”