The modern-day conservative movement has lost one of it’s founders.

Jack Kemp, star quarterback for the AFL’s Buffalo Bills and San Diego Chargers, nine-term congressmen, HUD Secretary, Presidential and Vice-Presidential candidate, who led the fight for overhauling tax reforms and was a major force in the lowering of tax rates under President Reagan died this evening after a long battle with cancer.

The L.A. Times reports:

Jack Kemp, the all-star college and pro quarterback who went on to serve nine House terms, as secretary of Housing and Urban Development and as Robert Dole’s VP running mate on the 1996 Republican presidential ticket, died this evening.

Kemp also ran his own unsuccessful presidential campaign in 1988 against Ronald Reagan’s vice president, George H.W. Bush, who would go on to appoint Kemp as his HUD secretary.

The cause of death was cancer. He was 73 years old and had allowed his office to release the news of his terminal illness only in early January.But there were no details of treatment or what type, only word that he would continue his charitable activities.

Moments ago the Kemp family released a statement:

Jack Kemp passed peacefully into the presence of the Lord shortly after 6 o’clock this evening, surrounded by the love of his family and pastor, and believing with Isaiah, “My strength and my courage is the Lord.”

During the treatment of his cancer, Jack expressed his gratitude for the thoughts and prayers of so many friends, a gratitude which the Kemp family shares.

Funeral details were incomplete tonight and expected to be released Sunday.

Best wishes and condolences to the Kemp family.

I was always a Kemp fan. Like Newt Gingrich, he was an ideas man and his vision and leadership was crucial in reforming the tax code and getting the Reagan tax cuts passed in 1981, which led to a quarter century of historic economic growth. He was also one of the GOP leaders to truly reach out to the minority community and was always popular in the minority section of his district. While I did not always support all of his ideas, he always brought a fresh perspective to the table.

As a player and as politician, he was a leader. Something that is sorely lacking in the GOP today.

Rest in peace, Jack. You will be missed.

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