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Washington: Rep. Ron Wright of Texas has died, his congressional office announced during a statement Monday, saying that he had been admitted to the hospital after contracting Covid-19.
“Congressman Ron Wright gave up the ghost peacefully at the age of 67 on Feb. 7, 2021. His wife Susan was by his side and he’s now within the presence of their Lord and Savior,” the statement read. “For the previous fortnight, Ron and Susan had been admitted to Baylor Hospital(Dallas, USA) after contracting COVID-19.”
Wright is that the first sitting member of Congress to die after contracting Covid. Earlier in December, Congressman Luke Letlow died after being diagnosed with the disease.
Wright’s congressional office announced that he had tested positive for Covid-19 on January 21 with the congressman saying at the time during a statement, “I am experiencing minor symptoms, but overall, I feel okay and can continue working for the people of the 6th District from home in the week .”
House GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy said during a statement Monday, “Our hearts are heavy with the news of Ron’s passing. Judy and that I send our heartfelt prayers to Susan and their children during this very difficult time.”
Adding to statement, McCarthy said, “Ron Wright was a fighter who passionately served his constituents, Texas, and America.”
President Joe Biden said during a statement on Monday said that Wright was “a fighter who battled bravely against both cancer and COVID-19, diseases that our nation will continue working tirelessly a day to defeat within the memory of all those we’ve lost.”
Biden also said, “Our prayers are with Ron’s wife, Susan, their three children, and their nine grandchildren.”
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a California Democrat, also issued a press release with condolences to Wright’s family and lauding the late GOP congressman’s “life of public service to the people of Texas.”
Adding to statement, Pelosi said, “As we grieve Congressman Wright’s passing, Members of Congress are united in sorrow and pray for the families and loved ones of the over 460,000 Americans who are killed by the vicious coronavirus. Each death may be a tragedy that breaks our hearts and demands strong, urgent action.”
The statement from Wright’s office on Monday mentioned that the congressman has also battled cancer.
“Over the past few years, Congressman Wright had kept a rigorous work schedule on the ground of the U.S. House of Representatives and reception in Texas’ district 6 while being treated for cancer,” it said.
During his cancer fight, in December, GOP members paid tribute to Wright by donning bow ties at the Capitol, which he frequently wore.
Wright had represented Texas’s sixth district since January 2019.
