Jack Edwards, who represented southwest Alabama in Congress for 20 years, died this morning, Gov. Kay Ivey said in a news release.
“Congressman Jack Edwards served his state and nation with the highest degree of integrity,” Ivey said. “As a young Marine, he proudly wore the uniform of his country during the Korean War; as the representative from Alabama’s First Congressional District, he was elected to 10 terms and was widely respected on both sides of the aisle, working with six different presidents.”
Ivey said Edwards was a strong ally of President Reagan in rebuilding the nation’s military in the 1980s and led efforts in Congress to establish the Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge and Weeks Bay National Estuarine Reserve in Baldwin County.
Ivey issued an order to fly flags at half-staff at the State Capitol complex and in Alabama’s First Congressional District to honor Edwards, who represented Alabama’s 1st Congressional District from 1965 to 1985.
“Heartfelt sympathies and prayers for his wife, Jolane, and their two children and families,” Ivey said. “Jack passed away early this morning; he was the epitome of a true public servant and was the ultimate statesman for Alabama. Our state has lost one of our finest.”
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