"A giant oak in the forest of public service has fallen."

-- U.S. Sen. Fritz Hollings , D-S.C., who served with Thurmond from 1966 until this year

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"His legacy in my state, across party lines, across racial lines, across regional lines, was that he was the go-to guy."

-- U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., who succeeded Thurmond this year

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"The president expresses his condolences for the passing of Sen. Thurmond. Strom served the people of South Carolina with distinction for decades. He earned the respect of Democrats and Republicans alike and he will be missed."

-- White House spokesman Ari Fleisher

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"Tonight, South Carolina lost the best friend it ever had, a man who cared more deeply about everyone else than he did about himself."

-- Mark Goodin, longtime Thurmond press secretary

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"It breaks my heart. He was a great man, a great soldier. He served his country well."

-- Duke Short, former top aide who served with Thurmond longer than anyone

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"He was a friend to his friends and also, a real rarity, he was a friend to his political enemies. In all those private moments, I never ever heard Sen. Thurmond say anything mean about anybody."

-- 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Dennis Shedd, former Thurmond staffer

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"Senator Thurmond was symbolic of the Old South, but his willingness to change over time set an example for many South Carolinians."

-- U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn, D- S.C.

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"He was our living legend. Strom's life was dedicated to achieving peace through strength, as shown by his military service in liberating Europe from Nazi fascists by landing at Normandy, his tireless work in fighting for a strong national defense in Congress which ultimately led to the defeat of Soviet communism."

-- U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C.

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"Senator Thurmond lived our nation's history -- you might say he grew as our nation did. ‘.‘.‘. His love for South Carolina was so strong he chose to remain in office until he was 100 years old."

-- U.S. Rep. Gresham Barrett,

R-S.C.

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"I doubt there will ever be another senator who serves that long or with that distinction."

-- Former U.S. Rep. Liz Patterson, D-S.C.

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"This is a guy whose political positions have been contrary to me my entire life, but I can tell you, as a human being and a man and a father who I got to know in that year, he was a genuine, caring, grieving man -- just a class act."

-- Dick Harpootlian, former S.C. Democratic Party chairman and former Richland County solicitor who prosecuted the driver who struck and killed Thurmond's daughter in 1993

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"We have just lost our greatest statesman, but Senator Thurmond's imprint will forever be stamped on future generations of South Carolinians who stand to benefit from his legendary public service."

-- Katon Dawson, chairman, S.C. Republican Party

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"He'll get you some results when nobody else can. It's real sad that he's gone."

Michael R. Beeler, 54, of Columbia, whose parents were helped by Thurmond after Beeler was wounded in Vietnam.

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"We really appreciated the fact that we didn't have to beg and plead and stuff. He was like a real gentleman who helped everybody."

-- Ruth Howell of Irmo, whom Thurmond helped with a Social Security matter

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"He was just an everyday guy. And I was so young then it didn't impress me. .‘.‘. It's a sad day for all of us that he's gone."

-- Joe Graham of Camden, who hitched a ride with Thurmond in 1959 from Anderson to Greenwood

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"He served the state well. He certainly distinguished himself and earned the respect of everyone."

-- Former Gov. Bob McNair

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"He was an icon. He will be remembered as a great man. He was truly a remarkable man. He changed with the times. He will go down in history as one of South Carolina's greatest leaders of all time."

-- Former Gov. John West

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"There will never be another politician who'll be able to develop a cadre of esteem and old-fashioned love like Thurmond."

-- Former Gov. James Edwards

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"Strom Thurmond may be gone, but his spirit will forever be ingrained in the soul of South Carolina."

-- Former Gov. Carroll Campbell

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"He epitomized public service. He did more for South Carolina than anyone. He was a mentor and father to me."

-- Former Gov. David Beasley

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"He had a way of treating a concern someone had as the most important issue that he was dealing with."

-- Former Gov. Jim Hodges

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"Strom Thurmond was a Colossus in life, a man whose impact on this state and this country will continue to be seen and felt far beyond the decades of service he gave us."

-- Gov. Mark Sanford

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"Strom Thurmond has done more for more people for a longer period of time than any South Carolinian that ever lived."

-- S.C. House Speaker David Wilkins, R-Greenville

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"Paul had an experience on the road to Damascus, and Strom Thurmond also had an experience on the road to Damascus. And after that experience, I always supported Strom Thurmond for political office because he would do constituent service for all South Carolinians, including me."

-- S.C. Sen. Kay Patterson, D-Richland

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"The name Strom Thurmond is synonymous with the well-being of South Carolina."

-- State Sen. Tommy Moore, D-Aiken, who represents Thurmond's hometown of Edgefield