Washington
CNN
—
US Rep. Donald McEachin, a Virginia Democrat, died Monday, in line with a press release from his workplace. He was 61.
“We’re all devastated on the passing of our boss and pal, Congressman Donald McEachin,” Tara Rountree, his chief of workers, stated in the statement. “Valiantly, for years now, we’ve watched him battle and overcome the secondary results of his colorectal most cancers from 2013. Tonight, he misplaced that battle, and the individuals of Virginia’s Fourth Congressional District misplaced a hero who at all times, at all times fought for them and put them first.”
“Till a brand new consultant is elected, our workplace will stay open and proceed to serve our constituents,” Rountree stated.
“The household asks for privateness presently. Preparations will probably be introduced over the subsequent few days.”
McEachin was first elected to characterize the 4th Congressional District of Virginia in 2016, after serving in each chambers of Virginia’s Basic Meeting.
In every position, the Virginia lawmaker championed reforms to US gun legal guidelines, environmental safety and inexpensive well being care.
“This actually is a dream come true of us,” McEachin informed supporters in his 2016 victory speech. “We all know we’re out right here making historical past and that historical past doesn’t come straightforward.”
The son of an Military veteran and a public college instructor, McEachin graduated from American College with a level in Political Science and from the College of Virginia Faculty of Legislation. He additionally acquired a Grasp of Divinity from The Samuel DeWitt Proctor Faculty of Theology at Virginia Union College, in line with his House biography.
Information of McEachin’s dying was met with heat remembrances from those that knew him.
“Up till the very finish, Don McEachin was a fighter. Despite the fact that he battled most cancers and confronted different trials in recent times, he by no means misplaced his give attention to social and environmental justice,” Democratic Sen. Mark Warner of Virginia tweeted. “Tonight, Virginia has misplaced an important chief and I’ve misplaced an important pal.”
Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia equally hailed McEachin as an exemplary civil servant.
“I met Donald McEachin in 1985 – we turned quick pals. A delicate large, a compassionate champion for underdogs, a local weather warrior, a Christian instance, an understanding dad, a proud husband, a loyal brother,” Kaine tweeted.
Democratic Rep. Gerry Connolly, in the meantime, referred to as McEachin a “noble pal, husband, and father.”
“An environmentalist, civil rights advocate, trustworthy public servant, and a person of consequence. There was no higher ally to have. I’ll miss him terribly,” Connolly tweeted.
Whereas McEachin sought to deal with world points throughout his time in Congress similar to local weather change, he additionally spoke to native wants throughout his reelection victory social gathering earlier this month. “We’d like to verify we will ship fundamental providers to our district,” he informed reporters on the time.
McEachin was a lifetime member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity and the NAACP, his Home biography stated. He additionally served as a member of the Virginia State Bar and the Virginia Trial Legal professionals Affiliation.
McEachin is survived by his spouse Colette and three grownup kids.
This story has been up to date with extra data Monday.
