Jack Kemp Dies At 73 Of Cancer (Photos)

Jack Kemp, the former quarterback  turned congressman and Bob Dole running-mate in 1996, has died of cancer at age 73. Read more on Jack Kemp’s death below.

Family spokeswoman Marci Robinson said Kemp died shortly after 6 p.m. Saturday, surrounded by his family and pastor. Kemp died at his home in Bethesda, Maryland.

Kemp’s office had stated in January that he had been diagnosed with cancer. But the cancer was in an advanced stage and had spread to several organs.

Jack Kemp was a former quarterback for the Buffalo Bills, then later represented western New York for nine terms in Congress.

In 1996 after serving a term as President George H.W. Bush’s housing secretary, Kemp made it onto the national ticket as Bob Dole’s running-mate.

After that Kemp wrote a  syndicated column, and he continued to lobby for tax cuts.

Former President George W. Bush expressed his sorrow after hearing of Kemp’s death.

“Laura and I are saddened by the death of Jack Kemp,” he said. “Jack will be remembered for his significant contributions to the Reagan revolution and his steadfast dedication to conservative principles during his long and distinguished career in public service. Jack’s wife Joanne and the rest of the Kemp family are in our thoughts and prayers.”

From the Associated Press:

Kemp was born in California to Christian Scientist parents. He worked on the loading docks of his father’s trucking company as a boy before majoring in physical education at Occidental College, where he led the nation’s small colleges in passing.

He became a Presbyterian after marrying his college sweetheart, Joanne Main. The couple had four children, including two sons who played professional football. He joined with a son and son-in-law to form a Washington strategic consulting firm, Kemp Partners, after leaving office.

Through his political life, Kemp’s positions spanned the social spectrum: He opposed abortion and supported school prayer, yet appealed to liberals with his outreach toward minorities and compassion for the poor. He pushed for immigration reform to include a guest-worker program and status for the illegal immigrants already here.

We offer our condolences to Jack Kemp’s family and friends.

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Posted by: Monya

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