WILMINGTON, Del. – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) issued the following statement on the passing of Mr. Eugene Lang:
“I’m deeply saddened by the passing of my friend and mentor, Eugene Lang. Gene was a visionary with a talent for persuading people to dream big and do more for others. A son of immigrants, Gene’s own improbable story of success in business and life began through a scholarship opportunity that allowed him to go to Swarthmore College, a gift he later paid forward many times over. With a sharp mind, a striking wit, and a tireless work ethic, Gene built a successful business licensing inventions and technology around the world before turning to his true calling: making a difference in the lives of others.
“Gene’s extraordinary promise of a college scholarship to an entire class of middle school students from Harlem in 1981 was the stuff of legend. Gene went on to build the ‘I Have a Dream’ Foundation, a nationwide network of more than a hundred local chapters. The power of his vision and his passion for giving kids from tough schools and hard neighborhoods a genuine chance in life was infectious. My own life was changed by Gene from the moment I first met him in 1988. He inspired me to launch an ‘I Have a Dream’ Foundation chapter in my hometown of Wilmington, Delaware, and I later worked for Gene at the organization’s national office in New York and served on the national board for a decade. Through his demanding and inspiring leadership, Gene attracted an amazing constellation of supporters to his cause. I count among my closest friends the sponsors, staff, project coordinators, and Dreamers I met through him.
“Gene’s vision of a country where an opportunity for higher education is available to all continues to motivate and inspire me, and so many more across our nation. I'll miss him greatly, and am thinking of his family during this difficult time.”
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