WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-ME) released the following statement today on the passing of former South African President Nelson Mandela:

“I join with Mainers, Americans, and people across the globe in mourning the death of former South African President Nelson Mandela.

“With his passing today, the world loses one of its greatest and most revered leaders. He was a man of extraordinary character whose courage, compassion, and vision led a deeply divided South Africa out of the age of apartheid and into an age of peace. His words and deeds not only captured the hearts of his people, but inspired millions more across the world, as they still do today, to stand in abiding solidarity with one another. Indeed, Nelson Mandela embodied the finest and most noble qualities of the human spirit and he shall forever be remembered for it.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of South Africa as we share in their sorrow and mourn in their loss.” 

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