Schatz Statement On Passing On Former Secretary Of State Madeleine Albright

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) today released the following statement on the passing of former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright.

“Madeleine Albright is a towering figure in American and world history, but I knew her as family. She is my oldest brother’s mother-in-law, and when I came to Washington, we became friends. Actual friends. She was thrilled to have a politician in the family, and wanted to be helpful without casting a long shadow, so she discreetly asked her friend Senator Barbara Mikulski to keep an eye out for me.

“She was a tireless and sharp political strategist, the kind of person who would watch C-SPAN for fun, who was endlessly fascinated by politics at all levels, from municipal elections to the United Nations. I remember all of our long talks about everything, but mostly about our two shared loves: family and politics, over a meal, which she would let me pay for occasionally.

“But most of all I will remember Grandma Maddie, who was kind and curious with my kids, taking us out to dinner in Georgetown, and being one of the most giving, decent human beings that I have ever known. May her memory be a blessing.”

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