Lawmakers and others are paying tribute to Orrin Hatch, a longtime former Republican Utah senator, after he died at the age of 88.
The Hatch Foundation announced Hatch passed away at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday in Salt Lake City, Utah, surrounded by family.
“Senator Orrin G. Hatch personified the American Dream,” Matt Sandgren, executive director of the Hatch Foundation, said.
Sandgren explained Hatch “was a profoundly positive influence in the lives of those he served, whether they were the constituents he helped over four decades of casework, the hundreds of interns he sponsored in both Utah and DC, or the robust network of Hatch staffers who carry on his legacy to this day.”
A. Scott Anderson, chairman of the Hatch Foundation, called Hatch a “man of wisdom, kindness, character, and compassion.”
The foundation noted Hatch was the longest-serving Senator in the history of Utah. Additionally, he was the longest-serving Republican senator in the history of the United States, as CNN noted.
President Joe Biden paid tribute to Hatch on Twitter.
“During his historic tenure in the Senate, Orrin Hatch was a leader of deep faith who looked out for the people who often didn’t have a voice in our laws,” Biden wrote.
He added, “Jill and I are saddened to learn of his passing and we send our deepest sympathies to Elaine and the entire Hatch family.”
During his historic tenure in the Senate, Orrin Hatch was a leader of deep faith who looked out for the people who often didn’t have a voice in our laws.
— President Biden (@POTUS) April 24, 2022
Jill and I are saddened to learn of his passing and we send our deepest sympathies to Elaine and the entire Hatch family.
Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) called Hatch a “kind and generous man who loved the people of Utah,” adding, “He truly lived a life of service. God bless the Hatch family and their loved ones.”
Orrin Hatch was a kind and generous man who loved the people of Utah. He truly lived a life of service. God bless the Hatch family and their loved ones. https://t.co/LXIq0119jg
— Joni Ernst (@SenJoniErnst) April 24, 2022
Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) tweeted, “Sad to learn of the passing of my friend Orrin Hatch /I worked closely w Senator Hatch for 40yrs on the [judiciary committee] +20 yrs on Finance [committee] we had a very good friendship he has contributed so much to public policy and for the ppl of Utah Barbara and I send our sympathies to his family.”
Sad to learn of the passing of my friend Orrin Hatch /I worked closely w Senator Hatch for 40yrs on the judic cmte +20 yrs on Finance cmte we had a very good friendship he has contributed so much to public policy& for the ppl of Utah Barbara & I send our sympathies to his family
— Chuck Grassley (@ChuckGrassley) April 24, 2022
Check out more tributes below:
Sad news to hear of the death of Senator Orrin Hatch, who served our nation in the Senate for 42 years. Please keep his family and friends in your prayers.
— Former Congresswoman Val Demings (@RepValDemings) April 24, 2022
Devastated to learn of the loss of Sen. Orrin Hatch. He was a cherished friend. I met my husband while he worked for the Senator. We will miss him dearly. He was a statesman that represented the best our country has to offer. Please pray for his family.https://t.co/pZus9vK9nP
— Ronna McDaniel (@RonnaMcDaniel) April 24, 2022
Today we lost a jewel and true American statesman in former Senator Orrin Hatch. He was a great colleague & mentor—and left a truly remarkable legacy in the Senate. My heart is with Elaine & the family.
— Tim Scott (@SenatorTimScott) April 24, 2022
I am deeply saddened by this news. Senator Hatch was a friend and mentor despite us being on opposite sides of the aisle. I will cherish my memories of our time together and the wisdom he shared.https://t.co/xmfvqmvXdd
— Cory Booker (@CoryBooker) April 24, 2022
Senator Orrin Hatch was an exceptional statesman and true freedom fighter. I enjoyed working with him on intellectual property issues to protect our creative communities — like the Music Modernization Act, which would not have been possible without his leadership.
— Sen. Marsha Blackburn (@MarshaBlackburn) April 24, 2022
Orrin Hatch was a great mentor and an even better friend. He devoted his life to serving Utahns, and will be missed dearly. My deepest condolences to his friends and family.
— Tom Cotton (@SenTomCotton) April 24, 2022
He is survived by his wife, Elaine, and their six children.