Here is how Sen. Johnny Isakson is being remembered

ATLANTA — People across the political spectrum are honoring the late-Sen. Johnny Isakson.

Isakson died Sunday morning at the age of 76 following a battle with Parkinson’s disease.

We’ll have the latest on how Isakson is being remembered and look back at his life throughout the day on Channel 2 Action News.

Here is what people are saying about him:

President Joe Biden

“Jill and I and the entire Biden family are saddened to learn of the passing of Johnny Isakson, the distinguished former United States Representative and Senator from Georgia.

“Senator Isakson was a colleague and a friend. We served together on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, traveled together, and found common ground built on mutual respect for each other and the institutions that govern our nation.

“Johnny was a proud Republican, but he put country before party, and valued building consensus over political combat. I always loved Johnny’s description of the only division he saw as between ‘friends and future friends.’

“In Johnny’s memory, let us heed the wisdom he offered upon retiring from the Senate, where he urged everyone to devote less energy to describing problems and more effort to working together to provide answers.

“Johnny Isakson was a patriot and a gentleman.

“Georgia has lost an indispensable son.

“America has lost an exemplary leader.

“Our prayers are with Dianne and the entire Isakson family.”

Governor Brian Kemp

Sen. Raphael Warnock

“All of Georgia is grieving the loss of a political giant this morning. Senator Johnny Isakson represented the best of our state and our country. Senator Isakson was known for putting Georgia first and working across the aisle to get things done. I enjoyed spending time with Senator Isakson, including every year when he would come join Ebenezer Baptist Church for our annual celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. And, I will always cherish the words of advice and encouragement he gave me after I was elected to be one of Georgia’s next United States Senators.

“His model of public service is an example to future generations of leaders on how to stand on principle and make progress while also governing with compassion and a heart for compromise. We’re all better for Senator Isakson’s many decades of service, and it is an honor to serve in the seat he once held. He was an upstanding elected official, and an even better man. I will miss him, and I send my deepest sympathies to his family and all of us across Georgia and the country who loved and admired him.”

Sen. Jon Ossoff

“Senator Isakson was a statesman who served Georgia with honor. He put his state and his country ahead of self and party, and his great legacy endures. Alisha and I will keep Dianne and the Isakson family in our prayers.”

Former President Jimmy Carter

I am sorry to learn of the passing of Johnny Isakson. While he was a stalwart Republican, Johnny was always willing to reach across the aisle to work with Democrats to find solutions that worked for everyone. We will miss his spirit of collegiality in Georgia politics. Rosalynn and I extend our condolences to his family and friends.

Sen. Mitch McConnell

“Johnny was one of my very best friends in the Senate. But the amazing thing about him was that at any given time, approximately 98 other Senators felt the same way. His infectious warmth and charisma, his generosity, and his integrity made Johnny one of the most admired and beloved people in the Capitol.

“Our former colleague loved to remind everybody that “there are only two kinds of people: friends and future friends.” And for Johnny, because of the way he lived every day, this wasn’t an aspirational catchphrase but a statement of fact.

“Johnny’s warmth and friendship didn’t just enrich those of us blessed to spend years working alongside him. They drove him to monumental achievement on behalf of millions of fellow Georgians and Americans.

“At the reins of the Veterans Affairs Committee, Johnny shepherded scores of bills to better fulfill our nation’s promises to the men and women who have served it in uniform – from expanding education benefits to improving accountability at the VA. His interests spanned from infrastructure in Savannah to combating hunger worldwide. And his compassion for one grieving family led Johnny to secure lasting protections for Americans volunteering abroad.

“Today, we are united with Johnny’s own family in their grief. Our prayers are with his beloved wife, Dianne, and their three children. And we are grateful to be among the countless beneficiaries of Johnny Isakson’s friendship.”

Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms

Georgia Speaker of the House David Ralston

“We mourn the passing of Senator Johnny Isakson, a favorite son of this state, a good and decent man, and a mentor and dear friend of mine.

“A veteran, businessman, legislator, congressman, and senator, he spent his life devoted to building this state up — to making the future brighter for Georgia and those who call it home. He was truly a statesman.

“Johnny believed that we are at our best when we work together for the common good and that who gets the credit doesn’t matter as much as what we can get done. He was a selfless servant who loved people and lived his words of treating everyone as friends and future friends. Johnny taught us that public service can be honorable.

“May God comfort his wife, Dianne, their children, and all of us who loved this great man. Though we will miss him, we are better for having known him and this state is better because of him.”

Former. Sen. Kelly Loeffler

“Senator Johnny Isakson leaves an indelible mark of service and grace on Georgia, the Senate and our country. God blessed our state with this tireless champion of building bridges, who dedicated his life to his faith, family, and community. In the Senate I was honored to sit at his desk, which he signed, and was reminded of his powerful legacy that will inspire Georgians for generations to come. Jeff and I send our love and prayers to Dianne and the Isakson family.

Georgia Gubernatorial Candidate Stacey Abrams

“U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson served the whole of Georgia with attention and fairness. With every interaction, my respect for him grew and never wavered. Though we held different ideologies, I was honored to call him friend. God’s peace to his family, loved ones and friends.”

Former Senator and Georgia Gubernatorial Candidate David Perdue

“Bonnie and I are heartbroken by the passing of former U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson. Johnny was an effective colleague, a mentor I looked up to, and a friend whom I deeply cherished. From serving in the Air National Guard, to fighting for Georgians in the United States Senate, Johnny’s entire life revolved around service. He always put others before himself. The last few years have not been easy for Johnny, but he responded to every obstacle with stalwart resilience. His dry wit and kind heart will be missed by everyone who knew him.

“Scripture tells us in Matthew 23 that ‘the greatest among you will be a servant.’ When you consider Johnny’s life, it’s clear to me that Johnny Isakson was truly the greatest among us. Bonnie and I will be praying for Dianne and the entire Isakson family in the days ahead. We hope they find comfort in knowing Johnny is at peace.”

Rep. Jody Hice

Lt. Governor Geoff Duncan

“Profoundly sad to hear about the passing of Sen. Johnny Isakson. Like he was to many, Sen. Isakson was truly a role model for me in politics and taught me the value of making friends and building consensus. We can all learn lessons from the life of service led by Sen. Isakson.”

DeKalb CEO Michael Thurmond

“We salute the life and legacy of Johnny Isakson. Johnny was a pragmatic, thoughtful, bipartisan leader who was never afraid to take difficult positions, even if they didn’t align with his political affiliation. He represented the best in service to our country and I will miss him dearly.”

The University of Georgia

Former Georgia U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson dies at age 76 Isakson passed away Sunday morning at age 76 after battling Parkinson’s disease.

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