(Video above: Congressman Bradley Byrne honors Harper Lee on the floor of the US House)

Congressman Bradley Byrne (R-AL) delivered a speech on the floor of the House of Representatives Wednesday morning in memory of Monroeville-native and Alabama literary legend Nelle Harper Lee.

Lee passed away in her hometown of Monroeville, Alabama, on February 19 at the age of 89.

A full transcript of Byrne’s remarks can be found below.

Mr. Speaker, last week the world lost a literary giant and Alabama lost a legend.

A native of Alabama’s First Congressional District, Nelle Harper Lee was born in Monroeville, Alabama, the city that served as inspiration for the town of Maycomb in her legendary novel, “To Kill A Mockingbird.”

Nelle received many honors throughout her life including being inducted into the Alabama Academy of Honor, receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and being awarded the National Medal of Arts.

Nelle was known as a private woman, but her writings, on the other hand, inspired generations, promoted acceptance, and taught us all important life lessons.

Sadly, she passed away in Monroeville on February 19 at the age of 89.

One of the best lessons Nelle taught us was about tolerance. As she wrote in “To Kill A Mockingbird,” “you never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view – until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.’

May we all take time to reflect on the life of Nelle Harper Lee and may we all continue to live out her lesson of acceptance and tolerance each and every day.