Lawmakers mourn death of Maya Angelou

Lawmakers are remembering Maya Angelou, who died Wednesday at her North Carolina home. The writer, poet, and civil rights activist, who penned the acclaimed 1969 autobiography, “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,” was 86.

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) called Angelou “one of the great souls” in a statement.

{mosads}“She reminded us of the beauty of diversity and the importance of the black experience,” said Pelosi. “She wrote of the cry for freedom, the experience of womanhood. Her story was the story of America.” 

“I was saddened to learn of the passing of Dr. Maya Angelou,” Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) said through a statement from his office. “A daughter of the South, she played an important role in our country and will be remembered for embodying so much of the American spirit — determination, grace and faith.

“Her work has touched the lives of millions of people around the world,” he added.

Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) mourned the loss of Angelou with a line from one of her famous poems, “Still I Rise:”

“You may trod me in the very dirt/But still, like dust, I’ll rise.” We lost a proud & profound poet today. Rest in Peace, Maya Angelou. -RB

— Richard Blumenthal (@SenBlumenthal) May 28, 2014

“Godspeed,” Rep. Scott Perry (R-Pa.) said in a Twitter message about the late author, writing:

Saddened to learn of Maya Angelou’s passing & wish her Godspeed. She had an inspiring & uniquely American life story. http://t.co/GTAweZbh8y

— RepScottPerry (@RepScottPerry) May 28, 2014

Rep. Alan Lowenthal (D-Calif.) called Angelou a “timeless icon,” writing:

Today, the world lost a poet, a leader, and a timeless icon. RIP Maya Angelou. pic.twitter.com/Nxhu2Admif

— Rep. Alan Lowenthal (@RepLowenthal) May 28, 2014

On Twitter, Rep. Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.) wrote of Angelou:

Inspiring words & wisdom of #Harlem‘s very own #MayaAngelou will live in our hearts & memories forever pic.twitter.com/QefPzkoWdb

— Charles Rangel (@cbrangel) May 28, 2014

Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.) tweeted Wednesday morning:

#MayaAngelou will be missed, but she will continue to be a presence, influencing future generations w/ her words,hope & love for all people

— Senator Ben Cardin (@SenatorCardin) May 28, 2014

Rep. Derek Kilmer (D-Wash.) wrote:

Let us remember Maya Angelou for her legacy as an extraordinary storyteller, poet, and civil rights advocate http://t.co/U67YYAsnSp

— Rep. Derek Kilmer (@RepDerekKilmer) May 28, 2014

Rep. Rick Crawford (R-Ark.) expressed sadness at word of Angelou’s death, saying:

Saddened to learn of Maya Angelou’s passing. Her words & her life inspired so many in #Arkansas, across the country, and the world.

— Rep Rick Crawford (@RepRickCrawford) May 28, 2014