DNC Chair Tom Perez released the following statement on the passing of former President George H.W. Bush:

“Today, we mourn the loss of an American patriot and public servant. George H.W. Bush paired his profound sense of personal responsibility with honesty, gentility, and hard work.

“In his inaugural address, he said that great nations, like great men, must keep their word. He stated that the American people did not send politicians to Washington to bicker. The American people ask their leaders to rise above the merely partisan. Throughout his life and career, President Bush embodied that sense of duty and commitment to bettering our country – whether it was fighting for Americans with disabilities, ensuring clear air for future generations, or bringing a peaceful end to the Cold War.

“President Bush and First Lady Barbara Bush showed us that character and integrity must never become casualties of partisan politics. Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Bush family and their friends as they mourn his passing and celebrate his historic life and legacy.”