"The president expresses his condolences for the passing of Senator Strom Thurmond. He served the people of South Carolina with distinction for decades. He earned the respect of Democrats and Republicans alike, and he will be missed." -- Ari Fleischer, spokesman for President Bush

"In South Carolina, there are leaders and then there was Strom, there are public servants, and there was Senator Thurmond. ... The sheer volume and weight of Strom Thurmond's accomplishments will stand far beyond his decades of service as a living memorial." -- S.C. Gov. Mark Sanford

"The term 'service' is synonymous with the name Strom Thurmond." -- S.C. House Speaker David Wilkins, R-Greenville

"Strom Thurmond was an extraordinary man. He touched countless lives, including mine. We will never see another like him. Our state, nation and world are better places because of Strom Thurmond." -- S.C. Attorney General Henry McMaster

"Mr. President, my friend and colleague of 36 years here in the Senate is gone, and a giant oak in the forest of public service has fallen. I started with Senator Thurmond as a young law student in 1946, when he first ran for governor, and have been more or less with him over these many, many years.

"I'll have a real recount of our work together later. Even though we ended up on other sides of the aisle, there was never any doubt about the interest of South Carolina.

"We have all these arguments going on with respect to judges. He and I got together very early. We agreed when his president was in from his particular party, then he had the appointment.

"But we always -- he always -- asked me about it and of course I in turn asked him about it and we checked with each other. And that's the kind of way we worked together over the some 36 years. I can just say a living legend of South Carolina has now been terminated.

"But I want to give Nancy and the children my heartfelt condolences. Peatsy and I have known them and been with them over many, many years.

"I'll have more to say at a later time. But I thank the leadership for their recognition and I hope, perhaps, that when we complete our work tonight, Mr. Leader, we might adjourn out of respect for our colleague." -- U.S. Sen. Fritz Hollings, D-S.C."Strom is the most venerable of institutions here." -- Furman University political scientist Don Aiesi

"He's an icon." -- longtime Edgefield resident Ken Hatcher

"We're all very sad to lose Senator Thurmond. He has been a major part of my life all of my life. Not many of us can say we have the impact on the world that he did. I'm grateful to have the opportunity to know him." -- longtime Thurmond family friend Bettis Rainsford of Edgefield

"We're really saddened by this. He did a lot for the town, he did a lot for the county, and he did a lot for the nation. We're going to sorely miss him." -- Edgefield Mayor Bob McKie

"I will remember his family in my prayers." -- Joseph Darby, first vice president of the S.C. National Association for the Advancement of Colored People

"When the rubber hit the road, he always came through. With all of the years he was in office and all the power he had, he always used it for the people, not for himself." -- S.C. Sen. Glenn McConnell, R-Charleston

"All of us are concerned, but we are just so grateful that he has seen the birth of his first grandchild." -- U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson, R-Lexington

"South Carolina has lost its favorite son, Strom Thurmond, a great American patriot, statesman and close friend to so many. His life was extraordinary in both length and scope. His enduring legacy for all of us in South Carolina will be that of a public servant who put the common interest ahead of self-interest and had a willingness and desire to help everyone to the best of his ability.

"South Carolinians from all regions and backgrounds truly believe Strom would do his best to deliver a fair result and that he was on their side. No problem was too big or too small; no person was ever denied the best that Strom and his staff could deliver.

"Senator Thurmond served his country in every conceivable way: as a World War II veteran landing on D-Day under heavy fire, superintendent of education, judge, governor, and the longest-serving senator in the history of the United States. The hallmark of Thurmond's life was his willingness to serve, the ability to change and to focus on the needs of individuals. There will never be another like him.

"From a personal perspective, I was honored to have his support, guidance and friendship. The best tribute I can provide is to continue his legacy of providing user-friendly government and providing South Carolinians with passion and commitment.

"We mourn his loss, pray for his family, and thank God for his service to our state and nation." -- U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C.

"Strom Thurmond was a giant with a giant heart. Nothing was more satisfying to him than helping people, particularly his beloved South Carolinians. It was what he lived for and what he was put on this earth to do. And it came naturally to him because he cared about people." -- former Gov. Carroll A. Campbell Jr.