U.S. Rep. John Lewis praises gay Apple CEO in Time most influential list

Time Magazine’s annual 100 most influential people list is out and Apple CEO Tim Cook has a notable author writing up his entry: our very own U.S. Rep. John Lewis.

Cook came out as gay last October in a Bloomberg Business op-ed. Here’s what Congressman Lewis had to say:

Apple CEO Tim Cook (Photo via Time Magazine)
Apple CEO Tim Cook (Photo via Time Magazine)

It could not have been easy for Tim Cook to step into the immense shadow cast by the late Apple co-founder, Steve Jobs. But with grace and courage and an unabashed willingness to be his own man, Tim has pushed Apple to unimaginable profitability—and greater social responsibility. He is setting a new standard for what business can do in the world. Tim is unwavering in his support of an individual’s right to privacy and is not only embracing equality and LGBT rights but advocating for change through his words and actions. His commitment to renewable energy is also leaving our planet a little cleaner and a little greener for generations yet unborn.

Above all, he has shown that profitability and integrity can go hand in hand. Tim has done this while introducing, time and again, some of the most innovative products the world has ever seen. Tim Cook is proof that even the most successful companies can and should be judged by more than just their bottom line.