Hoyer Statement on the Passing of Senator John S. McCain III
Press Types
Press Release
For Immediate Release:
August 25, 2018
Contact Info:
Mariel Saez 202-225-3130
WASHINGTON, DC – House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement tonight on the passing of U.S. Senator John S. McCain III:
“Few have endured for their country as John Sidney McCain, and few have served as faithfully as he served. All who stood beside him in the halls of the Capitol, who fought beside him in the skies over Vietnam, who struggled beside him in brutal captivity were strengthened by his courage and his conviction. None will forget what he has done for our country that he loved so dearly.
“John’s defining character was courage. Courage in the face of the enemy who sought to break his body and soul but failed. Courage in standing up for what he believed in as a legislator and as a candidate for the highest office in our land. Courage, after being diagnosed with the most aggressive and dangerous form of cancer, to walk onto the Senate Floor and stand up for access to health care for millions of Americans. And courage to call on all of us to heed what President Lincoln called ‘the better angels of our nature’ by recognizing that ‘the cause that binds us …is so much more powerful and worthy than the small differences that divide us.’
“The United States Senate today loses a giant. The people of Arizona remember their champion. Our nation mourns a hero. And those of us who served with John for many years on Capitol Hill bid farewell to a friend and colleague. As I remember John McCain and his life of extraordinary service, I think of Walt Whitman’s immortal words mourning another great statesman: ‘The ship is anchor’d safe and sound, its voyage closed and done; / from fearful trip, the victor ship, comes in with object won…’
“During this difficult time, I will be keeping Cindy McCain and the entire McCain family in my thoughts. And I pray that the Congress and our country will be guided in the years ahead by John’s courage, his character, and his deep love for this country."
“Few have endured for their country as John Sidney McCain, and few have served as faithfully as he served. All who stood beside him in the halls of the Capitol, who fought beside him in the skies over Vietnam, who struggled beside him in brutal captivity were strengthened by his courage and his conviction. None will forget what he has done for our country that he loved so dearly.
“John’s defining character was courage. Courage in the face of the enemy who sought to break his body and soul but failed. Courage in standing up for what he believed in as a legislator and as a candidate for the highest office in our land. Courage, after being diagnosed with the most aggressive and dangerous form of cancer, to walk onto the Senate Floor and stand up for access to health care for millions of Americans. And courage to call on all of us to heed what President Lincoln called ‘the better angels of our nature’ by recognizing that ‘the cause that binds us …is so much more powerful and worthy than the small differences that divide us.’
“The United States Senate today loses a giant. The people of Arizona remember their champion. Our nation mourns a hero. And those of us who served with John for many years on Capitol Hill bid farewell to a friend and colleague. As I remember John McCain and his life of extraordinary service, I think of Walt Whitman’s immortal words mourning another great statesman: ‘The ship is anchor’d safe and sound, its voyage closed and done; / from fearful trip, the victor ship, comes in with object won…’
“During this difficult time, I will be keeping Cindy McCain and the entire McCain family in my thoughts. And I pray that the Congress and our country will be guided in the years ahead by John’s courage, his character, and his deep love for this country."