Maryland Leaders React to the Death of Sen. John McCain

Here are some statements from Maryland political leaders on U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), who died Saturday of brain cancer at the age of 81. McCain will eventually be laid to rest at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis. U.S. Sen. Benjamin L. Cardin (D)

“This is an incredibly sad day. John McCain was an honorable public servant who sacrificed greatly to serve his country in uniform and as a lawmaker proudly representing the people of Arizona. His death is a great loss for this country, his state and, above all, his family and friends. My deepest sympathies and condolences are with Cindy, their children, and family at this very difficult time.

 

U.S. Sen. John McCain 

“For nearly a dozen years in the United States Senate, Senator McCain has been my friend and my enduring partner in standing up for universal human rights and advancing other core American values. The Sergei and Global Magnitsky laws would not have been possible without our genuine bipartisan resolve to change the course of human rights accountability for the worst rights abusers in Russia and worldwide.

“Last year, Senator McCain worked with me to ensure a new, tough sanctions regime against Vladimir Putin and his oligarchs for their insidious attack on our democracy. Senator McCain fought alongside me to make sure our efforts to hold Russia accountable made it into law. Just last month, he joined a bipartisan group of senators again toward the same goal, given Putin’s persistent attacks on our democratic system.

“The United States Senate and the American people have lost in John McCain a man who was the very definition of service to country.

“I will miss John terribly, and I hope all Americans will pause today to remember his legacy and admire his courage.”

U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D)

“Senator John McCain was a statesman, a veteran, and an American hero. His passion and determination were unsurpassed in the U.S. Senate, and his moral compass was unfailing. The loss of Senator McCain will be felt deeply throughout the Senate and the country – where countless Americans have benefited from his service. My prayers go out to Senator McCain’s friends, family, and constituents during this time – you are in our hearts.”

Gov. Lawrence J. Hogan Jr. (R)

“Senator John McCain will forever remain one of most valiant heroes our country has ever known. He has long stood as a shining example of doing the right thing and standing up for his principles even – and especially – when the going gets tough.

“I am lucky to count myself among those privileged enough to have known him. All of us join Senator McCain’s family and colleagues in taking pride in his legacy of selfless service, grit, and determination. A grateful nation will be forever in his debt.

“The First Lady and I hold his wife Cindy, his family, and all those who knew and admired him in our prayers, and join them in mourning the loss of a true American hero who I was deeply honored to know.”

Democratic gubernatorial nominee Benjamin T. Jealous

“I am incredibly saddened to hear that Senator John McCain has passed. He embodied true patriotism and will be missed. Thank you for your service, Senator.”

U.S. Rep. Anthony G. Brown (D) on Twitter

“Even when he faced unfathomable horrors and hardships, his faith in our country’s common purpose and his commitment to advancing and preserving our nation’s highest ideals never wavered. John McCain was a man of conviction and was never afraid of doing the right thing.”

U.S. Rep. Elijah C. Cummings (D)

“Senator John McCain dedicated his life in service to our country. He was a war hero whose bravery and courage took him from the battle fields to the United States Senate where he fought tirelessly for his constituents and the people of this country.

“Paul Wellstone once said, ‘I don’t think politics has anything to do with left, right or center. It has to do with trying to do right by people.’ Senator McCain embodied this belief. Known as the maverick of the Senate, he was not afraid to challenge the ideology of his party in order to stand up for what he believed was right for the American people.

“Our country has lost an honorable patriot and dedicated public servant. My thoughts and prayers are with the McCain family during this grievous time.”

U.S. Rep. John K. Delaney (D) on Twitter

“Rest In Peace Senator. And thank you for your courage, patriotism, decency and incomparable service to our country and the cause of freedom. You lived a life rooted in honesty and love of country and every American is better for it.”

U.S. Rep. Andrew P. Harris (R) on Twitter

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of John McCain. Rest In Peace.”

U.S. Rep. Steny H. Hoyer (D)

“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.” U.S. Rep. Jamie Raskin (D) on Twitter “Senator John McCain Rest In Peace. America has lost a patriot and a leader of integrity and decency. Sending sympathy to his family.”

U.S. Rep. C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (D) on Twitter

“. @SenJohnMcCain was a public servant in every sense of the word and a true titan of the Senate. Our country has lost a legend and a patriot. Thank you for being one of our greatest defenders of our troops, our veterans, and our country. Rest In Peace, #Maverick.”

U.S. Rep. John Sarbanes (D) on Twitter

“Deeply saddened by the passing of Senator John McCain. His unshakable patriotism and unwavering commitment to our democracy – especially in seeking to reform our campaign finance system – will continue to inspire generations of Americans.”

State Comptroller Peter V.R. Franchot (D)

“Remembering Senator John McCain, a true American hero. A soldier who served his country with unfathomable courage in the face of unimaginable pain, and a statesman who so consistently put country above party when the public interest hung in the balance.It is my sincere hope that, in the days and weeks to come, we do more than celebrate the life of this great man. More than anything, I would love to see the American people come together and rededicate ourselves to those timeless values by which he lived and served so honorably.”

State Attorney General Brian E. Frosh (D) on Twitter

“God bless John McCain.”

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