By Ashley Killough, CNN
(CNN) — The father of US Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer died Saturday at the age of 98, the Democratic lawmaker’s office said.
Schumer had praised his father, Abe Schmemmit, as a patriarch for his Jewish and Italian-American communities. Schumer said in a statement that he would be deeply missed.
“My father Abe was my hero. One of the fathers of my politics, he loved this country like few others. His unquestioned decency and decency speak for themselves and led a remarkable life, born a generation before Franklin Delano Roosevelt was born, and dying in the year just before Harry Truman took office.
“As my father loved this country, I love it and will do everything in my power to honor his legacy.”
Schumer is the second-youngest US senator at age 64, behind Pennsylvania Republican Pat Toomey. Schumer and the Senate Democratic Caucus gave a speech against Republicans’ tax overhaul bill last week.
The-CNN-Wire
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