Sen. Patrick Leahy says former South African president Nelson Mandela, who died Thursday at 95, will be remembered as one of the greatest world leaders in the last 100 years.
Leahy says he met with Mandela on a number of occasions. He says one of the most memorable meetings was in 1994, when Mandela came to Washington to speak to a joint session of Congress.
Following that address, Leahy says he asked Mandela how he could refrain from being bitter after being unjustly held in prison in South Africa for years.
“He put his hand on my arm and he said, ‘Patrick, because I was locked up all those years, I was able to lead my country out of apartheid. I’m not bitter. I rejoice.’ You know, I left that meeting with tears in my eyes,” he said.
Leahy said there is no doubt that Mandela will be remembered as one of the world’s greatest leaders.
“Nelson Mandela is a legend for our times and for the ages. He was the world’s compass through the dark night of South African apartheid, leading his country into the light. The images of his walk to freedom through the prison gates are etched in our memories and on the pages of history."
The world is "incalculably richer" because of Mandela's leadership and example, Leahy says.
