Story highlights Lewis says Ellison is the "right person" to lead the DNC

He endorsed Ellison in a letter to DNC members earlier this month

Washington (CNN) Democratic Rep. John Lewis of Georgia called Rep. Keith Ellison the "right person" to lead the Democratic National Committee in a new video out Tuesday.

In the video, Lewis, a civil rights movement icon, explained why he endorsed Ellison -- a Democratic congressman from Minnesota -- for DNC chair, saying Ellison "has the ability and the capacity to inspire people to stand out, to speak up, to speak out."

"We need his leadership. We need his vision. We need his commitment and his dedication now more than ever before," Lewis says. "Keith wants our party not just to wait until the next election but to organize now for the long haul."

Lewis had already endorsed Ellison in a letter sent to members of the DNC earlier this month.

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