Elizabeth Edwards mourned and saluted

[one_voice]

Friends, lawmakers and prominent political figures mourned the loss of Elizabeth Edwards on Tuesday night, as the news of her passing reverberated from the Tar Heel state to the Beltway.

From a woman of "enormous grace and dignity" to a "passionate advocate" for society, Edwards was heralded by some of the country's most powerful people. Here are their reactions:


President Barack Obama: "Michelle and I were deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Elizabeth Edwards. This afternoon I spoke to Cate Edwards and John Edwards, and offered our family’s condolences. I came to know and admire Elizabeth over the course of the presidential campaign. She was a tenacious advocate for fixing our health care system and fighting poverty, and our country has benefited from the voice she gave to the cause of building a society that lifts up all those left behind. In her life, Elizabeth Edwards knew tragedy and pain. Many others would have turned inward; many others in the face of such adversity would have given up. But through all that she endured, Elizabeth revealed a kind of fortitude and grace that will long remain a source of inspiration. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends."

Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.), the 2004 presidential nominee and her husband's running mate: "This is very sad news, and the fact that it isn't a surprise makes it no easier to hear. Elizabeth Edwards was an incredibly loving, giving, and devoted mother, and Teresa and our entire family are grateful for the time we shared getting to know her in 2004. We have many wonderful memories of those days traveling the country and seeing firsthand Elizabeth's great affection for Cate, Jack, and Emma Claire. Today all those moments are rushing back. The same day our campaign ended at Faneuil Hall, we saw Elizabeth head off to Mass General to confront this terrible disease. America came to know her in a different and even more personal way, as she fought back with enormous grace and dignity. She became an inspiration to so many. Teresa and I, along with our family, send our prayers and deepest sympathies to Elizabeth's family and the children she loved so much."

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Secretary of State Hillary Clinton: "I am deeply saddened by the passing of Elizabeth Edwards. America has lost a passionate advocate for building a more humane and just society, for reforming our health care system, and for finding a cure for cancer, once and for all. But the Edwards family and her legion of friends have lost so much more — a loving mother, constant guardian and wise counselor. Our thoughts are with the Edwards family at this time, and with all those people across the country who met Elizabeth over the years and found an instant friend — someone who shared their experiences and offered empathy, understanding and hope. She made her mark on America, and she will not be forgotten."



Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1210/46102.html#ixzz17TQyGqOm