FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FMC STATEMENT ON THE PASSING OF THE HONORABLE JIM KOLBE
Washington, DC — Today, the leadership of the U.S. Association of Former Members of Congress (FMC), President, L.F. Payne (D-VA), President-Elect, Barbara Comstock (R-VA), CEO, Pete Weichlein, and COO, Sabine Schleidt released the following statement on the passing of longtime FMC Board Member and distinguished Former Member James T. “Jim” Kolbe (R-AZ, 1985-2007) over the weekend:
“It is with great sadness that the U.S. Association of Former Members of Congress (FMC) joins the many voices paying tribute to Congressman Jim Kolbe of Arizona, who passed away suddenly over the weekend. During his time in Congress, Jim was an active participant in FMC’s Congressional Study Groups, an international peer-to-peer exchange between Members of Congress and their counterparts in parliaments overseas. His commitment to the Congressional Study Groups translated to his life after Congress. He became a FMC board member almost immediately following his service on Capitol Hill, and was actively engaged in our many programs, most prominently our Congress to Campus civic education program.
“Jim Kolbe was a voice of reason and bipartisanship, who lived a life of public service based on the principles of integrity, compassion, civility and respect. He was incredibly thoughtful and analytical, and had a great sense of humor, which often helped our board through difficult discussions and decisions. We will miss his guidance and sage advice. More importantly, we will miss the wonderful human being that we had the privilege to get to know as a colleague and friend.
“Our entire membership sends our thoughts and prayers to Jim Kolbe’s family, especially his husband Hector, during this difficult time.”
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