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As news of the death of mayor-for-life Marion Barry sweeps through the District, national and local leaders reflect on the life of the four-time mayor and Ward 8 Councilmember.

President Obama:

Michelle and I were saddened to hear of the passing of Marion Barry. Marion was born a sharecropper’s son, came of age during the Civil Rights movement, and became a fixture in D.C. politics for decades. As a leader with the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, Marion helped advance the cause of civil rights for all. During his decades in elected office in D.C., he put in place historic programs to lift working people out of poverty, expand opportunity, and begin to make real the promise of home rule. Through a storied, at times tumultuous life and career, he earned the love and respect of countless Washingtonians, and Michelle and I extend our deepest sympathies to Marion’s family, friends and constituents today.

The D.C. Council:

“The Council is extremely saddened by the passing of Marion Barry. We reflect on the significant contributions he has made to our beloved city. Our “Mayor for Life” will be missed.”

Mayor Vince Gray:

“Marion was not just a colleague but also was a friend with whom I shared many fond moments about governing the city,” said Mayor Gray. “He loved the District of Columbia and so many Washingtonians loved him.”

D.C. Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton:

“From my earliest encounter with Marion Barry, when he was the first chair of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee until I came back home and found him mayor of my home town, I have seen Marion take hold and write his signature boldly on his own life and times and on the life of the nation’s capital. Many took his struggle to personify in some way their own, endearing him and making him a larger-than-life figure as he became a creator of post-home-rule D.C.”

Mayor-elect and Ward 4 Councilmember Muriel Bowser:

“Mayor Marion Barry gave a voice to those who needed it most and lived his life in service to others. I – along with all Washingtonians – am shocked and deeply saddened by his passing, and we send our condolences to Cora Masters Barry, Christopher Barry and the entire Barry family. He has been a part of my family for decades, and will continue to be an example to me and so many others.”

Council Chair Phil Mendelson:

I speak for all members of the Council in stating our sadness at the passing of Marion Barry, and expressing our condolences to his family. Mr. Barry was a member of the Council – dating back to the 1970s – as long as he was Mayor. But his efforts on behalf of District residents lasted much longer.

Mr. Barry was a voice on the Council for human rights and civil rights. He championed policies to help those who were most in need: “the last, the lost, and the least,” as he put it. Most recently he fought to restore benefits to families on welfare. It was issues like this where he was persistent and passionate. His voice will be missed.

There isn’t a member of the Council who has not benefited from knowing and working with Mr. Barry — whether it was his skill to connect personally with residents, his persistence, his political acumen, or his ability to go from opponent to ally depending on the issue.

Mr. Barry taught us about fighting for justice and fighting for the poor. It now becomes our responsibility to keep his legacy alive.

The Council will take all appropriate steps to honor Mr. Barry and celebrate his life. An announcement will be forthcoming about his lying in state.

At-Large Councilmember Anita Bonds:

“With extreme regret I learned of the unexpected passing of Marion Barry, District of Columbia Councilmember, and 4-term former mayor who was my mentor, friend, political advisor and former boss. My deep condolences and prayers are extended to his son Christopher, wife Cora, other family members, and a multitude of friends, colleagues and associates.

In 1979 Marion was the right Mayor at the right time expressing compassion for the poor and the voiceless. He entered office clearly intent on giving representation to populations that were in need of a champion to help them benefit from the changing landscape of the District that was on the rise against the backdrop of social ills that beset many urban centers of America during the 1980s.

Marion was a political genius, community outreach expert, champion of the over-looked and the left-out while emphasizing the inclusion of everyone. He was a warm compassionate human being and proud public servant who was the only DC politician with coattails. While his history of accomplishments began decades prior to his entry onto the DC political scene representing the SNCC in the 1960s, even today, he remains the city’s favorite politician and truly loved by most, and many across the nation. I’ll remember him for his capacity to turn the cheek, forgive and move forward no matter the adversity. He was a remarkable, powerful, proud leader of people that will be hard to forget.

As his passing is mourned, we can be comforted in knowing that his legacy and love for the District will continue through the the renaissance of DC, which he began, and the millions of lives he touched.”

At-Large Councilmember David Grosso:

“I was saddened to learn of the passing of my D.C. Council colleague. Marion Barry was a strong advocate for Ward 8 and devoted his life to the residents of Washington, D.C. His strong passion for making our city a great city was only surpassed in effort by his incredible commitment to ensuring that the poorest of our residents were never forgotten. It has been an honor for me to sit next to Mayor-for-Life Marion Barry on the dais and serve with him on the education committee for the past two years. I learned a lot about my beloved city from him and a lot about him. I will forever respect what he has done for this city in spite of his many challenges over a 40-year career. As Dr. Maya Angelou stated, “Marion Barry changed America with his unmitigated gall to stand up in the ashes of where he had fallen and come back to win.” My thoughts go out to his family and loved ones as we all mourn the loss of a true D.C. hero.”

Ward 5 Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie:

“I am deeply saddened by the passing of my colleague and friend, Marion Barry.

Marion Barry dedicated his life to public service. He came to the nation’s capital decades ago to join other community leaders in the civil rights movement. I am proud that Ward 5 was home to his activism early on when he led the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, which was headquartered at 107 Rhode Island Avenue NW. Marion Barry would go on to accomplish so much for residents and businesses in the District of Columbia as an elected School Board Member, DC Councilmember, and Mayor.

Marion Barry touched so many lives, including my own. Growing up in the District, I vividly recall stories of his political successes as well as his personal struggles. As a teenager, I benefited from his summer jobs program, especially his Mayor’s Youth Leadership Institute. I appreciated his generosity of time and spirit, and am honored to have served alongside him on the Council. I have an abundance of respect for Mr. Barry and will remember him for, and continue to be inspired by, his fierce activism, bold leadership, and sincere compassion for others.

My thoughts and prayers are with Christopher Barry and Cora Masters Barry, his extended family, and all who were privileged to count him as a friend. Today, everyone in the District of Columbia, and many across the country, are grieving the loss of Marion Barry. God bless Mayor Barry. May he rest in peace.”

Ward 1 Councilmember-elect Brianne Nadeau:

“It was with great sadness that I learned today of the passing of Marion Barry, who I had only just begun to know in recent months. Barry was a larger than life presence in the District of Columbia, and to our entire nation, first as a civil rights activist and later as dedicated public servant who spoke often about the power of everyday people to come together to change the world. His rise from being the son of a sharecropper in rural Mississippi to serving four terms as mayor and 15 years on the D.C. Council serves as an inspiring reminder of the power of the American dream. He dedicated his life to lifting up our most vulnerable residents, and never wavered in that mission. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends in this difficult time.”

Former Councilmember Carol Schwartz

“I am shaken and saddened as I like others thought Marion Barry was invincible. We were dear friends and there for each other over the years. Marion personified DC and his passing is a great loss to all of us, especially those most in need whom he served so well. He loved DC and us. In spite of his foibles and having run against him, I loved and appreciated Marion Barry Jr. and will miss him greatly. My deepest sympathy goes out to his family, especially his son Christopher.”

Ward 6 Councilmember-elect Charles Allen:

“Like many people across the District, and across the nation, I was very sad to wake up to the news today of Mayor Barry’s passing.

As a student, I learned about Marion Barry’s leadership of SNCC and legacy in the civil rights movement. As a Council staffer, I worked with him on several efforts, for Ward 8 and the city. And as a Councilmember-Elect, I was looking forward to joining him on the dais to continue the work needed for all residents of the District.

Mr. Barry will forever be an icon in DC for his deep commitment to social justice and bold political leadership, as well as his personal generosity and compassion.

My thoughts and prayers are with his family and all of us who mourn his passing.”