The president spoke this afternoon on the death of Nelson Mandela, but many U.S. lawmakers had already weighed in on the death of South Africa’s first black president via Twitter. Democrats and Republicans alike are united in their praise of Mandela. Here is just a selection of tweets.
In a way, Mandela was both the “George Washington” and “Abraham Lincoln” of his country. We're so fortunate to have lived in his time.
— Senator Harry Reid (@SenatorReid) December 5, 2013
We mourn the loss of Nelson Mandela and offer our condolences to his family and the people of South Africa. http://t.co/xKvzdqI10g
— Senator Ted Cruz (@SenTedCruz) December 5, 2013
May the life of Nelson Mandela long stand as the ultimate tribute to the triumph of hope. pic.twitter.com/Bgv5TpayBW
— Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) December 5, 2013
Nelson Mandela brought a new era of peace to South Africa. The world has lost a great champion of human rights. pic.twitter.com/SUPXfRH59R
— Mark Kirk (@SenatorKirk) December 5, 2013
RIP: Nelson Mandela, a living testament to the power of positivity and perseverance through struggle and adversity.
— Sen. Lisa Murkowski (@lisamurkowski) December 5, 2013
Today the world joins w/South Africa to mourn the loss of Nelson Mandela, a transcendent hero, champion of equality & strength through peace
— Dean Heller (@SenDeanHeller) December 5, 2013
Nelson Mandela lived a truly amazing life of struggle, triumph & achievement. His work & inspiring spirit shaped humanity for the better.
— Senator Jerry Moran (@JerryMoran) December 5, 2013
"I would not and could not give myself up to despair." RIP #NelsonMandela
— Senator Pat Toomey (@SenToomey) December 5, 2013
Just learned of the death of Nelson Mandela. One of the truly great ones is gone.
— Jeff Flake (@JeffFlake) December 5, 2013
I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Nelson Mandela.
— Senator Bob Casey (@SenBobCasey) December 5, 2013
His unwavering commitment to justice and equality will inspire politicians and activists for many generations to come. #Mandela
— Senator Bob Casey (@SenBobCasey) December 5, 2013
https://twitter.com/SenMarkPryor/status/408721785350152193
https://twitter.com/SenLandrieu/status/408721498392633344
We have lost one of the most transformative figures the world has known. #NelsonMandela's legacy will inspire for generations to come. -PM
— Senator Patty Murray (@PattyMurray) December 5, 2013
Nelson Mandela’s courage, humanity, and selflessness will continue to inspire generations to come. I offer my prayers to his family.
— Sherrod Brown (@SenSherrodBrown) December 5, 2013
The world has lost a true hero for freedom and we should all carry out his vision of equality in our daily lives. #Mandela
— Sen. Barbara Boxer (@SenatorBoxer) December 5, 2013
Humanity has lost a great leader w/ the passing of Nelson Mandela. His influence won't end w/ his passing. Truly a life to celebrate.
— Senator Ben Cardin (@SenatorCardin) December 5, 2013
So sad to hear the news about Nelson Mandela. Few people in history have represented such a positive, lifelong force for change. RIP.
— Mark Warner (@MarkWarner) December 5, 2013
Saddened to hear about Nelson Mandela’s passing. We lost a leader today who left the world a better place. His legacy will inspire & live on
— Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (@SenatorShaheen) December 5, 2013
Thinking of Nelson Mandela, who I just learned has died. An inspiration to us all for years to come. My prayers are with him and his family.
— Senator Tom Carper (@SenatorCarper) December 5, 2013
Today our world lost a great leader, man & advocate for human rights. My thoughts & prayers are with the friends & family of Nelson #Mandela
— Archive: Sen. Heidi Heitkamp (@SenatorHeitkamp) December 5, 2013
Nelson Mandela taught us about humanity in the face of inhumanity, & left an unjust world a more just place. May he rest in peace.
— Senator Bob Menendez (@SenatorMenendez) December 5, 2013
Nelson Mandela was an ambassador of peace and aloha. We will miss him
— Senator Mazie Hirono (@maziehirono) December 5, 2013
RIP Nelson Mandela, whose courage and character inspired South Africa and the world. My recent remarks … http://t.co/xPv7FmIZ7W
— John McCain (@SenJohnMcCain) December 5, 2013
We've lost a civil rights leader whose grace & dignity is a model for all as we work for all human kind on this earth. RIP #NelsonMandela
— Charniele Herring (@C_Herring) December 5, 2013
#Mandela was one of the great leaders of our time. Passing tremendous loss for S.Africa and international community. We lost a hero today.
— Eliot Engel (@RepEliotEngel) December 5, 2013
Thank you, Nelson Mandela for all u have done not only South Africa but for the world. Truly a special & inspirational man that I will miss
— Rep. Gregory Meeks (@RepGregoryMeeks) December 5, 2013
Saddened to learn of the passing of #NelsonMandela, a champion of equality & human rights whose courage inspired millions all over the world
— Rep. Frank Pallone (@FrankPallone) December 5, 2013
https://twitter.com/NanHayworth/status/408723462832664576
The world lost one of its best today. My deepest sympathies are with the Mandela family and the South African people. pic.twitter.com/qPc6sc8u7t
— Adam Kinzinger (@RepKinzinger) December 5, 2013
Saddened 2 hear of the passing of Nelson Mandela, a symbol of courage as well as a statesman who helped guide South Africa toward equality.
— Colleen Hanabusa (@RepHanabusa) December 5, 2013
Today, I join the world in mourning the loss of global leader Nelson Mandela http://t.co/gpMXGDlW6J
— Congressmember Bass (@RepKarenBass) December 5, 2013
Today the world lost a great leader & we pay tribute to Nelson Mandela
— Rep. Henry Cuellar (@RepCuellar) December 5, 2013
An icon of the civil rights movement is dead at age 95. Our thoughts and prayers to the family of Nelson Mandella. http://t.co/DDKExbLRw0
— David B. McKinley (@RepMcKinley) December 5, 2013
My thoughts are with Nelson Mandela's family. He left this world better than he found it. We should all strive to do the same.
— RepRonBarber (@RepRonBarber) December 5, 2013
Today we have lost a great icon of peace, Nelson Mandela. My thoughts and condolences are with his family. #NelsonMandela
— US Rep. Filemon Vela (@RepFilemonVela) December 5, 2013
The world has lost an incredible and courageous leader. Thank you, Nelson Mandela, for making the world a better place. Rest in peace.
— Rep. Dan Kildee (@RepDanKildee) December 5, 2013
The world has lost a true hero today. My thoughts and prayers are with the #Mandela family and the people of South Africa.
— Rep. Vicky Hartzler (@RepHartzler) December 5, 2013
“The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” Rest in Peace #NelsonMandela
— Tom Latham (@TomLatham) December 5, 2013
My thoughts and prayers for the people of South Africa as we mourn the passing of Nelson Mandela.
— Renee Ellmers (@RepReneeEllmers) December 5, 2013
Nelson Mandela’s long walk to freedom showed an enduring faith in God and respect for human dignity http://t.co/WoDe0qO05A
— John Boehner (@SpeakerBoehner) December 5, 2013
Mandela led his country with a quiet moral authority that directed his own path from prisoner to president http://t.co/WoDe0qO05A
— John Boehner (@SpeakerBoehner) December 5, 2013
https://twitter.com/RepChrisCollins/status/408720613641961473
Saddened to hear of the loss of Nelson Mandela. A incredible statesman, hero and inspiration to all. His legacy will live on for the ages.
— Saxby Chambliss (@SaxbyChambliss) December 5, 2013
Through his courage, leadership, and morality, Nelson Mandela made the world a better, more compassionate place. May he rest in peace.
— Rep. John Yarmuth (@RepJohnYarmuth) December 5, 2013
Nelson Mandela's life stands as a timeless example of freedom, justice and sacrifice for the greater good of South Africa & the world.
— Rep. Marc Veasey (@RepVeasey) December 5, 2013
Saddened to hear of the passing of #NelsonMandela. My prayers go out to his family & to the people of #SouthAfrica.
— Erik Paulsen (@ErikPaulsen) December 5, 2013
In memory of a leader that pushed boundaries for the betterment of his brothers and sisters. Rest in Peace, Nelson Mandela.
— Rep. David Schweikert (@RepDavid) December 5, 2013
https://twitter.com/RepSamFarr/status/408719560741625856
Im deeply saddened the world has lost Nelson Mandela. He was a personal hero & one of the most transformational figures of our generation
— Congressman Tim Ryan (@RepTimRyan) December 5, 2013
May God bless Nelson Mandela's great soul.
— Dennis Kucinich (@Dennis_Kucinich) December 5, 2013
Let us take a moment to remember Nelson #Mandela, an inspirational leader and constant crusader for justice, on this day of his passing
— Congressman Bob Brady (@BobBradyPHL) December 5, 2013
My thoughts and prayers are with the Mandela family and the nation of South Africa. He was a true leader and hero.
— Rep. Paul Cook (@RepPaulCook) December 5, 2013
We have lost a great leader in the fight for freedom and equality. So much progress, so much yet to do. Thank you, Nelson Mandela.
— Lloyd Doggett (@RepLloydDoggett) December 5, 2013
Nelson Mandela, a true giant of our time, has passed away. Our world was better for his strengths; & now much poorer for his passing. RIP.
— pete p gallego (@PeteGallegoTX) December 5, 2013
Like Dr. King & Gandhi, Nelson Mandela changed his nation by making clear the justice of his cause. Though he has passed his legacy lives on
— Senator Gary Peters (@SenGaryPeters) December 5, 2013
My thoughts and prayers are with Nelson Mandela's family and the people of South Africa – the world has lost a truly remarkable leader today
— US Rep Rodney Davis (@RodneyDavis) December 5, 2013
https://twitter.com/RepJeffDenham/status/408718603706322944
"It always seems impossible until its done."- #Mandela pic.twitter.com/97rwO8taQz
— Rep Frederica Wilson (@RepWilson) December 5, 2013
https://twitter.com/RepMeehan/status/408718393911816192
With the passing of Nelson Mandela, the world has lost a great leader and a true champion for human rights.
— Dina Titus (@repdinatitus) December 5, 2013
Nelson Mandela was a legend to those whose lives he touched in South Africa and a hero to those who idolized him throughout the world. RIP.
— Rep. Tony Cárdenas (@RepCardenas) December 5, 2013
A bright beacon of hope and equality for all people is gone. Nelson Mandela will truly be missed.
— André Carson (@RepAndreCarson) December 5, 2013
The Fattah Family will keep the Mandela Family & all of the People of South Africa in our prays. pic.twitter.com/lPgvsSzn5L
— Chaka Fattah (@chakafattah) December 5, 2013
We all have lost a great leader today. Rest in peace, Nelson Mandela.
— Mark Takano (@RepMarkTakano) December 5, 2013
Humanity has lost a great leader w/ the passing of Nelson Mandela. His influence won't end w/ his passing. Truly a life to celebrate.
— Senator Ben Cardin (@SenatorCardin) December 5, 2013
"After climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb." –Nelson Mandela pic.twitter.com/8xarBxrJcu
— Rep. Brad Schneider (@RepSchneider) December 5, 2013
Saddened to hear of the passing of Nelson Mandela. Prayers with his family and the people of South Africa.
— Bob Goodlatte (@RepGoodlatte) December 5, 2013
Rest in peace Nelson Mandela. The world has lost an incredible leader who showed that the impossible is possible. pic.twitter.com/nDhYUR1VPL
— Archive: Rep. John Delaney (@RepJohnDelaney) December 5, 2013
Deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Nelson Mandela. Prayers remain with the Mandela family during this difficult time.
— Jackie Walorski (@RepWalorski) December 5, 2013
The entire world should pause to acknowledge Mandela's long fight for equality, democracy, and reconciliation. We need many more like him.
— Senator Jeff Merkley (@SenJeffMerkley) December 5, 2013
Nelson Mandela was one of the great pioneers of human rights whose courage inspired people around the world.
— Bill Nelson (@SenBillNelson) December 5, 2013
Nelson Mandela led and changed the world not with guns nor even with words but with moral majesty. -cs
— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) December 5, 2013
Nelson Mandela was a truly inspirational leader who exemplified the best of humanity. May his legacy guide our future generations.
— Ron Wyden (@RonWyden) December 5, 2013
Nelson Mandela's principled life defined courage. History will be kind to him. He deserved & earned the world's admiration & respect.-Claire
— Archive: Senator McCaskill Office (@McCaskillOffice) December 5, 2013
Very saddened 2 hear of Nelson Mandela's passing-let us remember his
teachings that freedom, peace=best achieved through education & respect— Tom Udall (@SenatorTomUdall) December 5, 2013
The world is a better place because of the life Nelson Mandela lived & hope he encouraged. Not even death can dim his light. #Mandela
— Senator Dick Durbin (@SenatorDurbin) December 5, 2013
Today the world lost a voice of unshakable moral clarity. May we honor Mandela’s legacy by working to build a freer, more peaceful world.
— Senator Deb Fischer (@SenatorFischer) December 5, 2013
Few have done more to advance human rights & democracy than Nelson Mandela. Today we lost one of the most courageous leaders of our time.
— Senator Roy Blunt (@RoyBlunt) December 5, 2013
The world lost a selfless champion of freedom, democracy and equality today. #NelsonMandela
— Johnny Isakson (@SenatorIsakson) December 5, 2013
#NelsonMandela’s legacy will be one of dignity, forgiveness and a profound dedication to the principles that all free people hold dear.
— Johnny Isakson (@SenatorIsakson) December 5, 2013
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