Clintons remember John Glenn as a ‘uniquely American hero’

Hillary and Bill Clinton remembered former astronaut and Ohio Sen. John Glenn (D) on Thursday as a “uniquely American hero.”

Glenn, who was the first U.S. astronaut to orbit the Earth, died on Thursday at the age of 95.

{mosads}“He excelled in every one of his roles — decorated Marine, pioneer astronaut, accomplished and admired senator, loving husband and father,” the Clintons wrote in a statement. “He was brave, bright, determined, and profoundly humble.”

Former President Clinton noted that he approved sending Glenn back to space in 1998, which made him, then at 77, the “oldest person to ever make the journey.”

Bill and Hillary Clinton remember John Glenn as ‘a uniquely American hero and one of the finest men we have ever known’ pic.twitter.com/M264Vkd8tL

— Dan Merica (@danmericaCNN) December 9, 2016

“I will never forget seeing him off at Cape Canaveral, and emailing him during the mission.”

At an event honoring Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) on Capitol Hill on Thursday, Hillary Clinton took a moment to honor Glenn.

“I just want to pause for moment to make the passing of one of our great Americans as well. Sen. John Glenn, a friend to many of us and a genuine American hero, passed away today,” she said Thursday. “I know the tributes will be flowing. I’m sure the congressional record will be filled with pages of appreciation and recognition of this extraordinary American’s life.”