WASHINGTON D.C.– Today, the Office of U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) released the following statement from Senator King on the passing of U.S. Senator John McCain:

“John McCain was a sailor, a Senator, and a great public servant. He was a leader in every sense of the word, the very definition of a patriot, and absolutely embodied love of country. He was irrepressible, acerbic, courageous and, often, he was a force of nature. John McCain was an American hero, and he was my mentor and friend who I will miss terribly.

“A piece of the best of America broke off today, but we are left with the clearest possible example of how a life of principle and character should be lived.”