Former Democratic Sen. Dale Bumpers died in his Arkansas home at the age of 90 late Friday night, according to local reports.
Bumpers served in the Senate from 1975 until 1999 after serving two terms as Arkansas governor. He was known as a great confidant of President Bill Clinton during Clinton’s time in office.
Bumpers’ family sent out an email Friday night announcing the senator’s death, KTHV in Little Rock, Ark. reported.
“While most people knew him as a great governor, senator and public servant,” the family said, “we remember him best as a loving father and husband who gave us unconditional love and support and whose life provided wonderful guidance on how to be a compassionate and productive person.”
Clinton released a statement praising Bumpers’ life and pointed out of some his top accomplishments as both governor and senator, such as instituting a tax system that “made modernization possible” in Arkansas and voting against tax cuts and spending increases that grew the national debt.
Clinton said he never felt far from home when he was in Washington, D.C., mostly due to Bumpers’ presence.”I loved him. I loved learning from him and laughing with him. I will miss him very much,” Clinton said.
