Former South Carolina Senator Fritz Hollings dead at 97

According to the Post Courier, former South Carolina Democratic Senator Ernest F. ‘Fritz’ Hollings has passed away at the age of 97.

A statement from his family reads, "Our father, Fritz Hollings, was dedicated to his family, the United States Senate and the people of South Carolina. He was a hero for us and millions of Americans. While we are heartbroken, we hope that in the coming days and weeks as we celebrate our father’s life, all South Carolinian’s will be reminded of his service to our state and nation.”

Hollings, who also served as governor in a career that lasted for decades ,was a tireless advocate for civil rights in an era where it was a difficult postion to take in the south.

As the courtier notes, "Hollings steered South Carolina through the civil rights era, established a program to feed poor pregnant women, enacted legislation to protect the environment and brought home millions of dollars as he also fought to balance the federal budget."

You can read more about him here.