Statement from President Joe Biden on the Passing of Former U.S. Senator and Florida Governor Bob Graham

Bob Graham was a colleague, buddy, and devoted Floridian whose practically 50 years of service to his beloved house state and to our nation have made America a safer and stronger nation.

Bob selected a lifetime of service, working his method up from state legislator, to governor, senator, and presidential candidate. He and I served collectively within the U.S. Senate, as respective chairs of the Intelligence and Overseas Relations committees within the wake of 9/11, working to heal a shattered nation and to guard America in a altering world. Bob stood on precept towards the Iraq Struggle. He cosponsored my landmark Violence Towards Girls Act, remodeling the best way our nation responds to home abuse and sexual assault. He was dedicated to training and to the surroundings, persevering with work that he’d begun as governor to assist public colleges and universities, and to guard the water provide, wetlands, and wildlife of Florida’s iconic Everglades. He was filled with humor and humanity, and I’m grateful for the assist that he gave me through the years.

Bob cherished folks, and he knew that politics at its core is about studying from and serving others. That’s why he spent greater than 400 “workdays” on the job with constituents, doing every part from choosing tomatoes, to dealing with baggage, to patrolling the streets with police. He knew it issues to stroll a mile in folks’ footwear. In recent times, he sought to instill that very same ethic and empathy in a brand new technology of public servants by way of his middle in Gainesville, and by working to require civics courses in public colleges. He impressed his personal daughter, Gwen, to serve in Congress as nicely; and I’m proud to have her in my Administration immediately, as an Assistant Secretary of Schooling. Bob was so proud, too.

Our hearts immediately are with Bob’s beloved spouse of 65 years, Adele; with their 4 daughters, Gwen, Cissy, Suzanne, and Kendall; with their grandchildren and pals; and with the folks of Florida, whom Bob served so nicely in so some ways for thus lengthy.

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