By Illinois Radio Network

SPRINGFIELD – Former Congressman Robert “Bob” Michel died Friday morning at the age of 93.

The longest serving House Minority Leader in American history died of pneumonia, his former chief of staff said. The Peoria Republican served in Congress from 1957 to 1995, the last 14 years serving as House Minority Leader. While he was a staunch conservative from a heavily Republican district, Michel’s political style relied on cooperation with a Democrat majority to pass legislation. He was vital to the passage of much of President Ronald Reagan’s agenda through a Democrat-controlled House.

U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood’s (R-Peoria) father, former transportation secretary Ray LaHood, worked for Michel and then succeeded him as congressman in 1995. The younger LaHood called Michel a true statesman.

“He was a giant from central Illinois,” said LaHood. “Those Midwestern values that he never forgot of, hard work and treating your neighbor decently and playing by the rules, that was Bob Michel and those values served him well in public service.”

A veteran of World War II’s Normandy invasion and the Battle of the Bulge, Michel earned two Bronze Star medals and the Purple Heart. He was later awarded the Citizen’s Medal from Reagan and the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Bill Clinton.

Michel gave the 1993 Republican response to Clinton’s first State of the Union address and made headlines with the line, “The American people would do well to remember when you hear a Democrat call for taxes, do not ask for whom the tax rises – it will rise for you.”

The Peoria bridge where Route 40 crosses the Illinois River bears his name.