WASHINGTON, April 25 -- Sen. Mike Crapo issued the following news release:

U.S. Senator Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) issued the following statement on the passing of former Idaho Governor Dirk Kempthorne:

"Governor Kempthorne's leadership and vision helped shape the state of Idaho for generations. From his time as mayor of Boise to his tenure as governor, and later, U.S. Secretary of the Interior, he worked tirelessly to preserve the natural beauty and resources that define Idaho and the American West. His legacy is rooted in public service, with a decades-long body of work dedicated to improving the lives of others.

"I am grateful to Dirk for his thoughtful mentorship, particularly as I prepared to fill his seat in the U.S. Senate. As I did, Di...