Congresswoman Kay Granger was invited to join the Presidential delegation as the President and his guests travel to Jerusalem for the funeral service of former President of Israel, Shimon Peres. Congresswoman Granger released the following statement on her way to the funeral service, which will be held Friday.

“I first met Shimon Peres when he was Prime Minister of Israel and I was Mayor of Fort Worth, and I count myself fortunate to have met, known and worked with him in his role as the President of Israel. I last met with Peres when I had the honor to introduce him at the Tarrant County College Foundation Lunch in Fort Worth in March of 2015.

“He lived a long life of service and distinction, marked by such recognition as the Nobel Peace Prize, Congressional Gold Medal and Presidential Medal of Freedom. His strides for world peace were unparalleled; his efforts, tireless.

“The world mourns the loss of one of the great statesmen of our time.”