Washington, D.C. (August 28, 2018) – Terry O’Sullivan, General President of LIUNA – the Laborers’ International Union of North America – made the following statement on the passing of Senator McCain:

Our nation lost a true American hero this past weekend, when Senator John McCain passed away. From his service in the Navy, to his selfless loyalty to those held captive with him in Vietnam, to his distinguished career in the United States Senate, John McCain embodied the highest ideals of our nation. His honor, courage, patriotism, and character set an example for all to follow. Time and again, he put the good of his country, and the good of his fellow Americans, above party, politics, and personal interest.

 

Regardless of whether or not we agreed on any particular issue, Senator McCain’s door was always open to LIUNA, he was engaging and honest, and he had the utmost respect for our members and for all working men and women. We shared his deep love of America, his belief in its greatness, and his desire to leave it better than the way that he found it. When it came to fighting for core beliefs and values, Senator McCain never backed up, never backed down, never retreated, and never surrendered. Yet when it came to expressing those ideals through policy, he was willing to reach across party and ideological lines in order to get things done. His work on behalf of immigration reform demonstrated his bipartisan courage, and his belief that America can, and should, continue to be a beacon of hope for the displaced and downtrodden.

 

On behalf of the 500,000 strong, proud, and united men and women of LIUNA, I offer our sympathies and condolences to the entire McCain family. We join you in mourning for this great American who served his country with honor, and whose memory will inspire generations to come.

#

The half-million members of LIUNA – the Laborers’ International Union of North America – are on the forefront of the construction industry, a powerhouse of workers who are proud to build America.