WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus S. King, Jr. (I-ME) released the following statement today on the passing of The Honorable Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ):

“I join with my colleagues in the United States Senate and with the people of New Jersey in mourning the loss of Senator Frank Lautenberg. Frank was a dedicated public servant and a gifted legislator whose willingness to cross the political divide and whose passionate leadership on environmental protection, transportation, and public health issues served as an example to all who served beside him in the Senate.

“As the son of immigrants who was raised with little means, Frank enlisted in the military at the age of eighteen and served courageously in the Second World War. With the help of G.I. benefits, he graduated from college and later achieved remarkable success as a businessman before his election to the U.S. Senate, where he proudly represented the people of his beloved home state for nearly thirty years. Frank’s life could not be more illustrative of the American dream, and it speaks volumes of his character that throughout his service in the Senate he fought tirelessly to preserve and extend that same promise of opportunity for future generations.

“Frank will surely be missed in the halls of the U.S. Senate, but he leaves behind a tremendous legacy of service that will be long remembered by his colleagues and the people of New Jersey. My thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Bonnie, his children, and with his entire family during this difficult time.” 

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