Washington (January 3, 2014) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) released the following statement today upon news of the passing of former Senator Edward W. Brooke, who represented Massachusetts in the United States Senate from 1967-1979.
“Today, we have lost a pioneer and patriot in the passing of Senator Edward W. Brooke. He was a champion for equality and communities of color at the dawn of a new era of American civil rights. He was a brilliant politician during extraordinary times - a Republican in a Democratic state, a liberal Republican in a Nixon administration.
“I greatly enjoyed my many discussions with Ed during the time he was a Senator and I served in the House of Representatives. He will go down as one of the greatest Senators who ever represented the Commonwealth. I admired him, and I believe he was a truly great man.
“My deepest condolences to his family, friends, loved ones, and all whose lives he touched.”
