Pennsylvania Leaders Respond To Death Of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg

HARRISBURG, Pa. (KDKA/AP) -- Condolences poured in on Friday night from Pennsylvania's leaders after the news of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg's death.

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Ginsburg died of complications from metastatic pancreatic cancer at her home in Washington. She was 87.

Governor Tom Wolf and First Lady Frances Wolf released a statement, saying "Ginsburg was a truly remarkable figure in American history."

"Justice Ginsburg's historic opinions from the bench broke down barriers for women and protected the vulnerable.

"Her contributions to our country cannot be overstated. Justice Ginsburg's life and career have made America a more fair and equitable place. She was a tireless pioneer and made monumental and lasting contributions on issues such as gender equality, a woman's right to choose, voting rights, immigration, health care and affirmative action. Justice Ginsburg never shied away from standing out by standing up for civil rights and equal protections," the statement said.

U.S. Senator Bob Casey released a statement, saying:

"Tonight our Nation mourns the passing of Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Justice Ginsburg was a pioneer for gender equality, a champion for human rights and a fierce defender of workers on an increasingly corporate Supreme Court. Justice Ginsburg served our Nation honorably and with distinction for four decades. Her heroic battles with cancer inspired countless Americans. I extend condolences to her family and may her memory be a blessing to millions of Americans.

Consistent with the precedent set by Majority Leader Mitch McConnell in 2016, Justice Ginsburg's seat should not be filled until the presidential election concludes and the candidate chosen by voters is sworn into office."

Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto said Ginsburg's death is "an incredible loss for our country and our world."

Lieutenant Governor John Fetterman also shared his condolences on Twitter, as did U.S Representative Mike Doyle.

Duquesne University President Ken Gormley had the honor of meeting Ginsburg while attending Harvard Law School with her daughter.

"She really was the person who established, at a crucial time in our country in the 1970s, that women really did deserve to have the same rights under our constitution," Gormley told KDKA's Royce Jones. "She leaves a giant void now. ... She was a force of nature."

In 2018, Gormely invited Ginsburg to be a guest speaker at a university conference. In her humorous fashion, she responded by saying she had become quite busy since becoming "notorious."

SEE IT: Click Here To See Ruth Bader Ginsburg's Letter

Former judge Timothy Lewis, who got to know Ginsburg while spending time on the federal bench, called her "a giant of the law, a giant force in this nation for equality."

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State Auditor General Eugene DePasquale said on Twitter that "Ruth Bader Ginsburg was a living example of the very word justice, from a trailblazing member of the bench, to a fierce advocate for those who felt left behind or unheard in our democracy."

Congressional candidate Sean Parnell released a statement, saying Ginsburg "served her country with great honor, and she will be greatly missed."

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