WASHINGTON, DC– Today, U.S. Congressman Scott Peters (CA-52) joined Americans in mourning the death of Senator John McCain:

“In his final letter to Americans, John McCain urged Americans to remember that ‘our identities and sense of worth are not circumscribed but enlarged by serving good causes bigger than ourselves.’

Until his last breath, he called us all to pledge allegiance to that bigger cause: our democracy. He risked his life, endured torture, and committed his entire life to serving our country. His pride in our nation, flaws and all, should inspire us.

In his honor, we must live his message: ‘we weaken our greatness when we confuse our patriotism with tribal rivalries that have sown resentment and hatred and violence in all the corners of the globe. We weaken it when we hide behind walls rather than tear them down, when we doubt the power of our ideals, rather than trust them to be the great force for change they’ve always been...Do not despair of our present difficulties but believe always in the promise and greatness of America, because nothing is inevitable here. Americans never quit. We never surrender. We never hide from history. We make history.’

John McCain will continue to motivate generations of Americans who look to his model of steady leadership, calm guidance, and willingness to put party aside for the benefit of our country. I join Californians and people across the country in mourning his death, and I extend my thoughts and prayers to Senator McCain’s family and friends.”