WASHINGTON, D.C. June 14, 2016 -The National Coalition Supporting Eurasian Jewry (formerly NCSJ) mourns the passing of former U.S. Senator from Ohio George Voinovich, a tireless activist for the freedom for Soviet Jewry and for combating the global threat of anti-Semitism. He died Sunday at the age of 79.

Voinovich served as a two-term U.S. senator from 1999 to 2011, retiring in 2012. He was governor of Ohio from 1991 through 1998 and mayor of Cleveland from 1980 to 1989.

Voinovich began his activism for the Jewish community as a member of the Lawyers’ Committee for Soviet Jewry while a local office holder in Cleveland. As a Cuyahoga County Commissioner he raised money for English tutors to help Soviet Jewish immigrants assimilate into the community. When he became mayor, he opposed Cleveland’s sister city relationship with Volgograd, due to Russia’s neglect of imprisoned Soviet Jews during the Cold War.

As a Senator, he worked closely with the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) to prioritize the fight against anti-Semitism, supporting the 2004 OSCE Berlin Declaration to combat anti-Semitism.

In 2004, then-President George W. Bush signed into law a bill Voinovich introduced, the Global Anti-Semitism Review Act, which requires the State Department to monitor and combat global anti-Semitism and report annually to Congress.

“I had the honor and privilege of working with Senator Voinovich for many years,” said NCSEJ Executive Vice-Chairman and CEO Mark B. Levin. “He was a gentleman in the truest sense of the word. His compassion and commitment in fighting against anti-Semitism won’t be forgotten by the American Jewish community, and Jewish communities around the world.”

On behalf of the NCSEJ Board of Governors, our condolences go out to his wife Janet, and his entire extended family. May his memory be for a blessing.