WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today made this statement on news that American businessman and Republican activist Sheldon Adelson has died.

“The best way to describe the life of Sheldon Adelson is in a single word: wow.

“It’s with great sadness that I learned of Sheldon’s passing. My thoughts and prayers are with his lovely wife Miriam, his children, and his entire family.

“Wow is in order because Sheldon truly epitomized the American dream. Growing up in very humble circumstances as a Jewish kid in Boston, Sheldon was a born entrepreneur and a great patriot.

“He served his country as a member of the U.S. Army during the Korean War and built one of the biggest business empires in the history of our country.

“His business interests throughout the world have provided good-paying jobs for thousands of people and their families. During the pandemic when the entertainment business ground to a halt, he kept all of his employees and their families paid.

“He and Miriam are the most generous people I know. Their philanthropy has become legendary. Their joint focus on drug rehabilitation has changed so many lives.

“My first trip to Israel as a Member of Congress was with Sheldon, and I learned through his eyes the security risks that Israel faces and the value of the U.S./Israel alliance. He and Miriam are the greatest friends to the state of Israel that I’ve ever known.

“His passion for the Republican Party is legendary, and I, among many others, am a beneficiary of his commitment to building a vibrant, diverse Republican Party throughout the country.

“More than anything else, Sheldon was an American success story who deeply loved his country and never forgot where he came from. Sheldon Adelson was a force of nature for good, had many friends on both sides of the aisle, and will be missed by his family, business team, and legions of friends of which I am proud to say I am one.

“Rest in peace, my friend. You made our country and the world a better place.”

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