Former US Rep. Paul Findley of Illinois dies at age 98

JACKSONVILLE, Ill. – Former Republican U.S. Rep. Paul Findley, who spent 22 years in Congress, has died at age 98.

The State Journal-Register reports that Findley died Friday at a hospital in Jacksonville, Illinois.

The newspaper reports that Findley supported civil rights, opposed the Vietnam War, advocated for agriculture and engagement with Palestinians and others in the Arab world.

U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin called Findley “an elected official who showed exceptional courage in tackling the age-old controversies in the Middle East.”

Durbin, a Democrat, defeated Findley in 1982 for a House seat.

Paul Findley was born in Jacksonville. He graduated from Illinois College and was a Navy lieutenant in the Pacific during World War II. He was elected to Congress in 1960.

Findley is survived by a son, Craig; a daughter, Diane; four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

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Information from: The State Journal-Register, http://www.sj-r.com