Governor Brownback issued the following statement on the passing of former Pennsylvania Senator Arlen Specter:

“On behalf of the citizens of Kansas, Lt. Governor Jeff Colyer and I offer our deepest condolences to Sen. Specter's wife Joan, and their family.

"A native Kansan, Arlen was an amazing man. He was a tough fighter you always wanted on your team.

"He loved what America stood for and lived the American Dream. God blessed Arlen Specter with talent and tenacity and he used those traits to the utmost.”

Specter and Brownback, a former U.S. senator, served 14 years together in the Senate, and were on the Senate Judiciary Committee together.