WASHINGTON DC—On July 11, the Office of U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) issued a statement announcing the sudden death of Senator Graham. The Senator had just returned from a trip to Kyiv, Ukraine to speak with Ukraine Prime Minister Volodymyr Zelensky. Senator Graham turned 71 on July 9th.
“On the evening of Saturday, July 11, U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham passed away from a brief and sudden illness. Senator Graham’s family appreciates prayers at this time and asks for privacy during this incredibly difficult period.”
Initial reports indicate this may have been a cardiac incident, but an official cause of death has yet to be released.
Senator Graham has represented South Carolina in the U.S. Senate since 2003. He served as a Congressman in the U.S. House of Representatives 1995-2003. He is a 33-year veteran of the U.S Air Force and Air Force Reserves.
He received a Bronze Star Medal for meritorious service as a senior legal adviser to the Air Force in Iraq and Afghanistan from August 2009-July 2014 overseeing the detention of military prisoners.
President Trump ordered the flags to be flown at half-mast in honor of Lindsey Graham.
“In honor of the remarkable life and achievements of Senator Lindsey Graham, a dear friend of mine, and a truly great man, who achieved so much for our country, and his beloved home state of South Carolina, I am ordering all American flags throughout the United States lowered to half mast until Saturday evening at 6:00 p.m. God bless you Lindsey! “ signed Donald J. Trump
The Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu also gave tribute.
“Sara and I grieve with the American people over the loss of our dear friend, Lindsey Graham. In our meeting, I said, ‘Lindsey is a great friend of Israel and a cherished friend of mine. We have no better friend than Lindsey.’
Lindsey understood that the security of Israel and America are inseparable. He devoted his life to defending America, and strengthening our alliance, and standing up for the free world.
Israel has lost one of its greatest friends. America has lost a great patriot. I have lost a beloved friend.
Our hearts are with Lindsey’s family and with the American people at this difficult time. May his values and initiatives continue to guide us toward victory and peace, and may his memory forever be a blessing.”
In his job as Senator, he represented the people of South Carolina. He also served on numerous committees for the U.S. Senate, and was the recipient of awards too numerous to name here. Only committee assignments are listed below.
Appropriations Committee, and seven subcommittees
Budget Committee, Chairman
Environmental and Public Works Committee and three subcommittees
Judiciary Committee, and four subcommittees
Senator Graham never married. He leaves behind his sister, Darline Graham Nordone whom Lindsey Graham adopted when she was 13, after the untimely deaths of their parents.
