Lawmakers and business leaders pay glowing tributes to the late senator.
Indian American political and business leaders across the country paid glowing tributes to Sen. John McCain, who passed away on Saturday at 4:28 pm on Saturday, after a year-long battle with brain cancer.
The Arizona Republican, who ran unsuccessfully against President Barack Obama in the historic 2008 election, was 81.
US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley, the highest ranking Indian American in the Trump administration, tweeted:
“Tonight we say goodbye to a true hero. A man who never sought accolades. A patriot who fought everyday for American freedom and dignity. A warrior of strength, a patriot of heart, and a man of conviction. There will never be another John McCain. May he rest in peace.”
Tonight we say goodbye to a true hero. A man who never sought accolades. A patriot who fought everyday for American freedom and dignity. A warrior of strength, a patriot of heart, and a man of conviction. There will never be another John McCain. May he rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/B3FjQnDToH
— Archive: Ambassador Nikki Haley (@AmbNikkiHaley) August 26, 2018
Others who took to twitter to pay tribute to the late senator include all four Indian American members in the US House of Representatives, Google CEO Sundar Pichai, Sacramento Kings owner Vivek Ranadive and a number of state lawmakers, among others.
California Democrat Ami Bera, the longest-serving Indian American in the US House of Representatives, wrote:
“Today is a very sad day. This nation has lost a true American hero. Please keep the McCain family in your prayers.”
Today is a very sad day. This nation has lost a true American hero. Please keep the McCain family in your prayers. https://t.co/nlUTgIKr4L
— Ami Bera, M.D. (@RepBera) August 26, 2018
Rep. Ro Khanna, also a California Democrat, tweeted: “Throughout his entire life, @SenJohnMcCain displayed a love of country as a public servant. His presence will be missed.”
Throughout his entire life, @SenJohnMcCain displayed a love of country as a public servant. His presence will be missed.
— Rep. Ro Khanna (@RepRoKhanna) August 26, 2018
In a lengthy tweet, Washington Democrat Pramila Jayapal wrote:
“The halls of Congress will never be same with out Senator John McCain. A man who devoted his life to serving this country, Senator McCain had an unwavering commitment to our democracy, even in his final days.”
The halls of Congress will never be same with out Senator John McCain. A man who devoted his life to serving this country, Senator McCain had an unwavering commitment to our democracy, even in his final days. 1/3
— Rep. Pramila Jayapal (@RepJayapal) August 26, 2018
Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, an Illinois Democrat, tweeted: A grateful nation thanks you for a life of service, Senator McCain. My thoughts are with your family and loved ones tonight.
A grateful nation thanks you for a life of service, Senator McCain. My thoughts are with your family and loved ones tonight. pic.twitter.com/cWiHGEseV3
— Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (@CongressmanRaja) August 26, 2018
Pichai tweeted: “RIP @SenJohnMcCain — you were a true American hero, and we’re grateful for your sacrifice and service to this country for over 60 years. You’ll live on in our hearts and be a role model for generations to come.”
RIP @SenJohnMcCain — you were a true American hero, and we're grateful for your sacrifice and service to this country for over 60 years. You'll live on in our hearts and be a role model for generations to come.
— Sundar Pichai (@sundarpichai) August 26, 2018
Technology entrepreneur and owner of the Sacramento Kings Vivek Ranadive wrote: “RIP Senator. An American hero and legend. It was an honor to get to know you.”
RIP Senator. An American hero and legend. It was an honor to get to know you. pic.twitter.com/bt8AflCjbq
— Vivek Ranadivé (@Vivek) August 26, 2018
Ohio state lawmaker Niraj Antani, a Republican, tweeted: “Thank you, @SenJohnMcCain, for helping this young conservative find his way to his home: the Republican Party. Rest in Power, Senator John McCain.”
Thank you, @SenJohnMcCain, for helping this young conservative find his way to his home: the Republican Party. Rest in Power, Senator John McCain. pic.twitter.com/RRwmoqYddC
— Niraj Antani (@NirajAntani) August 26, 2018
Fellow Ohioan and congressional hopeful Aftab Pureval also tweeted: “John McCain was an American hero who put country over party. I join all Americans in offering thoughts and prayers to his family. May his legacy of service and selflessness live on in all of us.”
John McCain was an American hero who put country over party. I join all Americans in offering thoughts and prayers to his family. May his legacy of service and selflessness live on in all of us.
— Aftab Pureval (@AftabPureval) August 26, 2018
North Carolina state Sen. Jay Chaudhary tweeted: “Godspeed @SenJohnMcCain. Yes, I didn’t agree w you on a lot of issues. But, during this time of hyper partisanship and lack of civility, you are reminder of service to country — with dignity, courage, and honor
Godspeed @SenJohnMcCain. Yes, I didn't agree w you on a lot of issues. But, during this time of hyper partisanship and lack of civility, you are reminder of service to country — with dignity, courage, and honor. #countryfirst https://t.co/3fthDIqRlH via @YouTube
— Sen. Jay Chaudhuri (@jay_chaudhuri) August 26, 2018
Here tweets from other prominent Indian Americans
Former US Attorney Preet Bharara:
“It’s hard to feel anything but overpowering sadness about John McCain. Last time I felt this way was 9 years ago to the day when his friend across the aisle, Ted Kennedy, succumbed to the same cruel cancer. History does rhyme. There will never be another like John McCain. RIP.”
It’s hard to feel anything but overpowering sadness about John McCain. Last time I felt this way was 9 years ago to the day when his friend across the aisle, Ted Kennedy, succumbed to the same cruel cancer. History does rhyme. There will never be another like John McCain. RIP.
— Preet Bharara (@PreetBharara) August 26, 2018
Mukesh Aghi, president of the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum:
We salute the patriotism and value based leadership of John McCain. A great friend of US-INDIA partnership. Our prayers are with his family and may his soul RIP @USISPForum pic.twitter.com/0LLNjRDgIJ
— Mukesh Aghi (@MukeshAghi) August 26, 2018
1 Comment
I mean no offence to American hero late Captain McCain but I wonder if he was hero or a “War Criminal”. He made 23 bombing missions over North Vietnam and I am quite sure, he killed many people including women and children who did no harm to any American. He volunteered in those killing missions and one can question, what business he had in Vietnam and killed innocent people. It is sad that our perception on good and bad is so narrow and weird.
How long shall we believe the old dictum that says, when you kill one you are a criminal or a murderer but when you kill thousands, you are a hero.