NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                   Contact:                 Stephanie Gadlin

March 13, 2017                                                                                               Office: (773) 779-2400

    Cell: (202) 340-6327

      Stephanie.Gadlin@mail.house.gov

Rep. Bobby L. Rush announces the passing of

his wife Carolyn Rush, 68

CHICAGO – With great sadness, U.S. Representative Bobby L. Rush (IL-01) announced the passing of his wife of Carolyn, 68, who died this morning of congestive heart failure at the University of Chicago Hospital.

“Today I have lost my best friend, the love of my life, my confidant and my best half,” said Rep. Rush, who was at her bedside, along with her children, when she died. “This one of the most difficult days of my life. If there is any comfort at all, it is in knowing that Carolyn is no longer suffering and that she has returned to our Father in Heaven. I will always cherish her. She was everything to me. I am devastated.”

He also said, “I want to thank everyone for their outpouring of love and support over the last several months as Carolyn’s health faded. I want to commend the University of Chicago’s medical staff who provided excellent care for her for the duration of her illness.

“I also express my sincerest appreciation to my colleagues in Congress, and to my constituents for understanding why it was so important for me to be with my wife when I also had to be in Washington. Choosing to be with her until the very end was really no choice for me at all. As her husband it was my duty and as a man of God it was also my responsibility to be by her side,” Rush reflected. “Carolyn never left my side when I was diagnosed with cancer. She’s the reason I’m still here. I will forever miss my friend.”

Born May 27, 1949 in Memphis, TN, Carolyn Rush moved to Chicago at an early age. She graduated from Hirsch High School and later graduated with high honors with a Bachelors of Art in Organizational Leadership from Roosevelt University in Chicago. In addition to her work as a community organizer, precinct captain and political strategist in many campaigns, she was also instrumental in the Civil Rights Movement working to end discrimination in housing and employment.

Mrs. Rush and her husband Congressman Bobby Rush, have a blended family of seven children (one son is deceased), and 11grandchildren. The couple were married for 36 years. Funeral arrangements are pending and there is no further information at this time.

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Stephanie A. Gadlin

Communications Director-Acting

Office of U.S. Rep. Bobby L. Rush

1^st Congressional District of Illinois

11750 S. Western Avenue

Chicago, IL 60643

District Phone: 773-779-2400

District Fax: 773-779-2401

Cell: 202-340-6327

www.house.gov/rush

2188 Rayburn House Office Building

Washington, D.C. 20515-1301

Phone: 202-225-4372

Fax: 202-226-0333