Once held in contempt, Seeger now mourned

A host of Democratic lawmakers on Capitol Hill mourned the death of folk singer Pete Seeger on Tuesday.

Democrats celebrated his songs that dealt with a number of progressive issues — including civil rights, the labor movement, the environment and the anti-war movement. Seeger died in New York on Monday at the age of 94.

Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.), a leader of the civil rights movement in his own right, said the singer “used his voice and his instrument to carry the message of peace, nonviolent love, and social justice all across America.”

Pete Seeger used his voice and his instrument to carry the message of peace, nonviolent love, and social justice all across america.

— John Lewis (@repjohnlewis) January 28, 2014

The warm words after Seeger’s death stand in contrast to Congress holding him in contempt in the 1950s after he refused to testify before a House Committee on Un-American Activities regarding his prior political affiliations in the Communist Party.

Democrats eulogized him by tweeting some of his most famous songs, emphasizing causes he championed and remembering key performances from the singer songwriter.

In Pete Seeger, the music, the message and the man were inseparable. #RIP #PeteSeeger #VT

— Sen. Patrick Leahy (@SenatorLeahy) January 28, 2014

From California to the NY islands, Pete Seeger hammered out justice & freedom on his five string banjo.

— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) January 28, 2014

RIP Pete Seeger, whose contributions to music, the environment, & progressive causes will live on in lives & hearts of many he touched.

— Congressman Nadler (@RepJerryNadler) January 28, 2014

When Pete Seeger sang in Vermont he sang to our conscience and our souls. #PeteSeeger #RIP #VT

— Sen. Patrick Leahy (@SenatorLeahy) January 28, 2014

A lifelong champion of civil rights, labor rights & an end to war, Pete Seeger used power of song to change the world http://t.co/8d0zAeImYh

— Louise Slaughter (@louiseslaughter) January 28, 2014

Today mourning the loss of legendary Pete Seeger, 94 Where have all the flowers gone? http://t.co/5nza3s0bla

— Jared Polis (@jaredpolis) January 28, 2014

RIP, Pete Seeger. #wherehavealltheflowersgone #ifihadahammer

— Bruce Braley (@BruceBraley) January 28, 2014

President Obama and his wife also mourned Seeger’s death. Seeger sang at the president’s first inauguration, performing the full version of Woody Guthrie’s “This Land is Your Land.”

“For reminding us where we come from and showing us where we need to go, we will always be grateful to Pete Seeger,” Obama said in a statement.