Former Governor and US Senator, Bob Graham, Passes Away at 87

Bob Graham, a stalwart figure in American politics, passed away at the age of 87, as announced by his family on Tuesday. Spanning nearly four decades, his political career began as a Florida state representative in 1966 and culminated in his retirement from the US Senate in 2005 after serving three terms.

In a statement shared on his daughter Gwen Graham’s social media account, the family described Graham as someone who dedicated his life to enhancing the world around him. From championing the preservation of natural treasures like the Everglades to fostering global understanding through his work with the intelligence community, Graham’s impact was profound and far-reaching.

During his tenure as Florida governor from 1979 to 1987, Graham navigated the state through significant challenges, including a surge in immigration from Cuba and Haiti. As the chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee following the September 11, 2001 attacks, he spearheaded a congressional inquiry into the government’s pre-9/11 failures.

Graham was also known for his vocal opposition to then-president George W. Bush’s Iraq invasion proposal, warning against diverting resources from the fight against terrorism.

Former US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi paid tribute to Graham, calling him a patriotic American and a distinguished member of the Senate. Even after leaving the Senate, Graham continued to contribute to important inquiries, co-chairing an investigation into the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, appointed by former President Barack Obama.