Former President George H.W. Bush paid tribute to his former ambassador to the Soviet Union, Robert S. Strauss, as a "particularly effective advocate" for the United States in the U.S.S.R.'s last days.
The former Democratic Party chairman, dealmaker and political powerbroker died Wednesday at the age of 95.
In a statement issued by his spokesman, Bush says he and the former first lady, Barbara Bush, "mourn the passing of a Texan of legendary influence."
He said Strauss "may have cut his teeth in the brass knuckle and highly partisan political fields of Texas politics, but he counseled several Presidents of the United States of both parties." Bush added, "like the others, I valued his advice highly."
Bush further said Strauss "was our friend and we already miss him dearly."
