Minnesota's Klobuchar Remembers McCain As 'Friend,' 'Mentor'

MINNESOTA — Minnesota Democrat Amy Klobuchar is remembering Republican Senate colleague John McCain as a friend and mentor following his passing Saturday.

Klobuchar visited McCain and his wife Cindy this past month at their ranch in Arizona. While battling brain cancer, McCain "continued to be engaged in the issues of our time, always a man of grit," she said.

McCain, who was diagnosed last year with an aggressive form of brain cancer that had kept him away from the Senate since mid-December, died just one day after his family announced he would end his treatment . He would have turned 82 on Aug. 29.

"My last memory of John was something that happened on that visit," Klobuchar said.

"He pointed to a sentence in his new book and told me ‘that’s all that matters.’ The sentence was this: 'Nothing in life is more liberating than to fight for a cause larger than yourself.'"

Read Klobuchar's entire statement below:

“I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of my friend and colleague, Senator John McCain. In the Navy, he exemplified heroism and bravery. In the Senate, he was a mentor to so many senators: he taught us how to work with leaders on the world stage, and he taught us how to work with each other regardless of party back at home.

This past month my husband and I got to visit John and Cindy at their ranch in Arizona. While battling brain cancer, he continued to be engaged in the issues of our time, always a man of grit. My last memory of John was something that happened on that visit. He pointed to a sentence in his new book and told me ‘that’s all that matters.’ The sentence was this: ‘Nothing in life is more liberating than to fight for a cause larger than yourself.’

That’s what Senator McCain’s entire life was about. He taught us that as a POW in Vietnam when he made the decision to allow others to be released before him so he didn't get special treatment. Supporting his fellow soldiers was a cause greater than himself.

He showed it as a senator when he voted to maintain health care and stood up for immigrants. Those were causes greater than himself and party politics.

He showed it as a candidate for President when he publicly disagreed with a woman in my state at a rally who questioned the patriotism of his Democratic opponent Barack Obama. He defended his opponent. The dignity of America was a cause greater than himself.

Finally he loved his family so very much.

He has always been surrounded by strong women—his wife and my friend Cindy, his mom, and his daughters. I know that they—along with the rest of his family—are all grieving tonight, as is our entire country. Our country owes a lot to John McCain and we will greatly miss him.”

Read more: John McCain, War Hero And Senate Icon, Dead At 81

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Photo: Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) (L) takes a selfie with Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) and Sen. Bernie Sanders (D-VT) (R) on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol on January 20, 2017 in Washington, DC. In today's inauguration ceremony Donald J. Trump becomes the 45th president of the United States. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)