(CNN) ––
Ron Wright, Republican representative of Texas, died this Sunday, as announced by his office in Congress in a statement on Monday.
According to the statement, Wright was hospitalized after contracting COVID-19.
"Congressman Ron Wright passed away peacefully at the age of 67 on February 7, 2021. His wife Susan was by his side and is now in the presence of her Lord and Savior," the statement said.
"For the past two weeks, Ron and Susan had been hospitalized at Baylor Hospital in Dallas after contracting COVID-19."
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Ron Wright is the first sitting member of Congress to die after contracting COVID-19.
In December, Congressman-elect Luke Letlow passed away after being diagnosed with the disease.
Wright's Congressional office announced that he tested positive for COVID-19 on January 21.
At the time, the congressman said in a statement: “I am experiencing minor symptoms.
But overall, I feel good and will continue to work for the people of the 6th district from home this week.
The Republican leader of the House of Representatives, Kevin McCarthy, spoke in a statement on Monday.
Our hearts are heavy with the news of Ron's death.
Judy and I send our sincerest prayers to Susan and her children during this difficult time, ”he said.
"Ron Wright was a fighter who passionately served his constituents, Texas and the United States," McCarthy noted.
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House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a Democrat from California, also issued a statement.
Pelosi expressed her condolences to the Ron Wright family and praised the late Republican Congressman's "life of public service to the people of Texas."
"As we mourn the death of Congressman Wright, members of Congress are united in grief and pray for the families and loved ones of the more than 460,000 Americans who have lost their lives to the ruthless coronavirus," Pelosi said in her statement.
"Each death is a tragedy that breaks our hearts and requires strong and urgent action," he added.
A statement from Wright's office issued Monday noted that the congressman had also battled cancer.
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"For the past several years, Congressman Wright had maintained a rigorous work schedule on the floor of the United States House of Representatives and at his home in the Sixth Congressional District of Texas while receiving treatment for cancer," the statement said.
During his fight against cancer, members of the Republican Party paid tribute to Wright in December.
On that occasion they wore bowties in the Capitol, a garment that he frequently wore.
Wright represented the sixth congressional district of Texas since January 2019.
CNN's Manu Raju contributed to this report.
House of Representatives Congress COVID-19 Pandemic Ron Wright