American Leaders Bid a Hero Adieu
Leaders eulogize South African President Nelson Mandela.
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Rest in Peace, Madiba - As the world prepares to put South African President Nelson Mandela to rest, political civil rights leaders praise his enduring impact and lessons to be learned from his exemplar life and leadership. — Joyce Jones (Photo: PIERRE VERDY/AFP/Getty Images)
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Vice President Joe Biden - "I saw [Mandela's] world the way it used to be when I visited South Africa as a 34-year-old senator. When I exited the plane I was directed to one side of the tarmac, while the African-American congressmen traveling with me were sent to the other side. I refused to break off, and the officials finally relented. When I tried to enter Soweto township with Congressmen Andrew Young of Atlanta and Charles Diggs of Detroit, I remember their tears of anger and sadness. Because of Nelson Mandela’s courage, and compassion, that world has been transformed.… This is a better world because Nelson Mandela was in it." (Photo: Win McNamee/Getty Images)
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Rep. James Clyburn, Assistant Democratic Leader - "Today the world lost one of its greatest leaders and I have lost a personal hero. Nelson Mandela provided strength, stature and stability to his people during the darkest days of apartheid and led them into a new democracy as the first Black president of South Africa. He is a transcendent figure, whose legacy is immeasurable. My generation and so many that follow must pay homage for the sacrifices he made and the progress he achieved. We should not mourn but celebrate the life of this beloved man." (Photo: Ron Sachs-Pool/Getty Images)
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Rep. Maxine Waters - "Beginning with his time as the founder of the African National Congress Youth League and extending beyond his tenure as President of South Africa, Mandela led the anti-apartheid movement and inspired a generation of peaceful, nonviolent protesters. When I reflect upon my own career in public service, I am among that generation of protesters who have been inspired by President Mandela’s courage, dedication and wisdom. I also consider myself among those who have had the distinct honor and privilege of knowing him and calling him a friend." (Photo: REUTERS/Gus Ruelas)
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Rep. Terri Sewell (Alabama) - "As we mourn the loss of this remarkable man, we must honor his legacy by never taking for granted the benefits that come from the freedom he and so many others fought for. May the life of Nelson Mandela serve as a constant reminder that we must never deviate from our dedication to equality in our communities, schools, and institutions." (Photo: Thos Robinson/Getty Images for Women's Campaign Fund)
Photo By Photo: Thos Robinson/Getty Images for Women's Campaign Fund
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Rep. Marcia Fudge, Chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus - "Though today we grieve President Mandela’s death, the world will celebrate his life. This world will be forever changed because he lived. May we never forget the lessons Madiba taught us in his quest for freedom, ‘for to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.'" (Photo: Mark Wilson/Getty Images)
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Roslyn Brock, Chairman of the NAACP Board of Directors - “The Honorable Nelson Mandela embodied the hopes, dreams, aspirations and values of all who seek justice against tremendous odds. He responded to unfathomable violence with peace and courage, and in doing so he forever changed the world.” (Photo: Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images for NAACP Image Awards)
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David Emmanuel Goatley, NAACP Board of Directors - “Nelson Mandela’s legacy remains an inspiration for the work of the NAACP. In Mandela’s name we must continue to bring attention to all aspects of global apartheid characterized by poverty, inequality, discrimination, and prejudice of all kind.” (Photo: Courtesy of David Emmanuel Goatley)
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Bill Lucy, NAACP National Board of Directors - “The world has lost one of the great statesmen of our time — a man who spent 27 years in prison because he believed in the cause of equality. His loss should set an example for political leaders still here, that there is a need to lead and govern in a manner that is equitable to all people.” (Photo: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
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Lorraine Miller, Interim NAACP President and CEO - President Mandela was humanity’s greatest living hero. His unwavering sense of justice and peace transformed a nation and inspired the world.” (Photo: Bill Clark/Roll Call/Getty Images)
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Rep. Marc Veasey (Texas) - "Nelson Mandela has been a courageous hero of the international civil rights movement. His life stands as a timeless example of freedom, justice and sacrifice for the greater good of South Africa and the world. As the first Black president of South Africa, his courageous lifelong commitment to the principles of democracy have — and continue to — inspire me.” (Photo: Ron T. Ennis/Fort Worth Star-Telegram/ MCT /LANDOV)
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Rep. Elijah Cummings (Maryland) - "With Mandela’s passing, we have all lost an exemplary model of the kind of person we should all aspire to be — selfless, loving, and dedicated to justice for every man and woman. The legacy he leaves behind is not just the liberation of South Africa, nor the impression made during his time as president, but freedom and opportunity for all." (Photo: Mark Wilson/Getty Images)
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Susan Rice, National Security Adviser - "[Mandela] was apartheid’s captive but never its prisoner, and he rid the world of one of history’s foulest evils by hewing to universal principles for which he hoped to live but was prepared to die. Let us celebrate Madiba’s life by rededicating ourselves to the values and hopes he embodied: reconciliation and justice, freedom and equality, democracy and human rights, an honest reckoning with the past and an unflinching insistence on embracing our common humanity." (Photo: Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
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Rep. Eric Cantor, House Majority Leader - "The world has lost an exceptional leader who made the world a better place by illuminating in his own nation the shining light of freedom. From prisoner to president, Mr. Mandela demonstrated a lifelong commitment to justice and human rights, and his legacy should serve as an example for all of us.” (Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
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Rep. Steny Hoyer, House Minority Whip - "President Mandela’s legacy will be not only one of toppling apartheid but ensuring that it was replaced not by bitterness and division but by reconciliation and a shared commitment to the rights of all South Africans. Our world will surely be a lesser one without President Mandela walking among us, but our future has been made ever greater by the legacy he leaves indelibly printed in our hearts.” (Photo: Kris Connor/Getty Images)
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Rep. Karen Bass (California) - "President Mandela will remain an inspirational figure, to me and a generation of us who, though far from South Africa, took up the cause to fight against apartheid to ensure our nation played its part to end policies that supported South Africa’s oppressive government. In the days, weeks and years ahead, let us celebrate President Nelson Mandela’s life, draw strength from the many lessons he taught us through his sacrifice and leadership and let us forever be reminded that his struggle, South Africa’s struggle, is our global struggle.” (Photo: UPI/Kevin Dietsch /LANDOV)
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Rep. John Lewis (Georgia) - "President Nelson Mandela must be looked upon as modern-day saint. He was a giant of a man. Even those who opposed him could not help but admire and deeply respect him. His redemptive, unearned suffering, his dedication to the philosophy and discipline of non-violence, and his magnificent grace are a testimony to the power and endurance of the human spirit. He was one of those rare individuals, like Mohandas Gandhi or Martin Luther King Jr., who come along only once in a generation, who are a blessing to all humanity." (Photo: Chris McKay/WireImage)
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Rep. Charles Rangel (New York) - "I have long thought of Nelson Mandela to be the epitome of sainthood. He was a visionary and selfless leader, who was willing to make great sacrifices in the pursuit of freedom and justice. Not many would have the courage and conviction to endure 27 years of imprisonment fighting to free the people of South Africa from the racial oppression of apartheid.… We must honor his life by renewing our dedication to social justice, equality, and freedom for all peoples." (Photo: Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)
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Rep. G.K. Butterfield (North Carolina) - "Since first learning of Mandela as a young man, I have deeply admired his courage and vision to end racism and inequality through racial reconciliation. In many ways, Mandela inspired my life and career. I offer my heartfelt condolences to his family and the millions of South Africans and global citizens whose lives he influenced. Unequivocally, there will never be another quite like Nelson Mandela." (Photo: Courtesy of G.K. Butterfield)
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Rep. Barbara Lee (California) - "Mr. Mandela exuded a larger-than-life presence and a humble spirit that was remarkable; he is my hero and an inspiration to us all. While this earth will miss the physical presence of Nelson Mandela, his indomitable nature, his gentle spirit, and overwhelming smile will remain with us all. My heart is heavy as we mourn the loss and celebrate the life of this great warrior.” (Photo: Kris Connor/Getty Images for TV One)
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Rep. André Carson (Indiana) - "Nelson Mandela’s peaceful struggle against apartheid inspired a nation to stand against oppression. Let us honor his legacy of peace and justice through our actions each and every day. We should strive to live by his example.” (Photo: Chris Maddaloni/CQ-Roll Call)
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Rep. Donald Payne Jr. (New Jersey) - “Even in the face of extreme adversity, [Mandela] has proven that with a noble cause and an eternal will, one person can change the tide of oppression, an entire country, and the world. Whether it was during his 27 years in prison or during his time as president of South Africa, he has demonstrated exceptional strength, supreme moral courage, and principled forgiveness. People all around the world suffering from oppression, hatred, and discrimination will forever be grateful for the incredible leadership of Nelson Mandela." (Photo: Courtesy of Donald Payne Jr.)
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Del. Donna Christensen (Virgin Islands) - "Nelson Mandela’s life is a lesson to all of us — on how to live a life of selfless service to others, to stand firm for what is right and just and how to face and overcome adversity without bitterness or hate.… May his iconic image and triumph of hope endure in all of us and serve as a comfort to his family and loved ones, the people of South Africa and the countless who mourn the passing of this incredible man and indelible leader across the world." (Photo: Kris Connor/Getty Images for TV One)
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Rep. John Conyers (Michigan) - “With the passing of Nelson Mandela, we have lost an individual who not only freed his home of South Africa from racial hatred, but inspired the world to peacefully resist injustice and intolerance. We will forever remember Nelson Mandela as the wonderful man and courageous leader who ended apartheid at home and changed the course of human history for all. Unbowed by racial animosity and decades behind bars, Nelson Mandela was a revolutionary force for nonviolence and justice." (Photo: Mark Wilson/Getty Images)
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Rep. Chakah Fattah (Pennsylvania) - "Nelson Mandela was a personal inspiration to me, and to so many others for the many sacrifices he made on behalf of the country he loved so dearly. Mandela was a selfless individual and an eternal optimist who dedicated his life to the promise of equality for all, not just those in South Africa. While we deeply regret this loss, we are grateful for his work bending the arc of history towards justice, and for his legacy that will continue to lead us all in the pursuit of a more just and more peaceful world.” (Photo: Courtesy of Chaka Fattah)
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Rep. Chakah Fattah (Pennsylvania) - "Nelson Mandela was a personal inspiration to me, and to so many others for the many sacrifices he made on behalf of the country he loved so dearly. Mandela was a selfless individual and an eternal optimist who dedicated his life to the promise of equality for all, not just those in South Africa. While we deeply regret this loss, we are grateful for his work bending the arc of history towards justice, and for his legacy that will continue to lead us all in the pursuit of a more just and more peaceful world.” (Photo: Courtesy of Chaka Fattah)
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Rep. Gregory Meeks (New York) - Although this singular global personality is no longer with us, his legacy as a visionary, intellect, liberation leader, and statesman will illuminate the path of progress as much as his smile lit up our hearts, as much as his will to continue the struggle inspired his nation and the world." (Photo: Rob Loud/Getty Images)