(Photo By Flickr User Randy von Liski)

Former Republican U.S. Rep. Paul Findley, who spent 22 years in Congress, has died.

The State Journal-Register & WGEM-TV reported that Findley died on last Friday (August 9th) at a hospital in Jacksonville, IL.

They also reported that Findley supported civil rights, opposed the Vietnam War, advocated for agriculture and engagement with Palestinians and others in the Arab world.

U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin called Findley,

“an elected official who showed exceptional courage in tackling the age-old controversies in the Middle East.”

Durbin, a Democrat, defeated Findley in 1982 for a House seat.

Paul Findley was born in Jacksonville. He graduated from Illinois College and was a Navy lieutenant in the Pacific during World War II. He was elected to Congress in 1960.

Former Republican U.S. Rep. Paul Findley, dead at the age of 98.

Findley is survived by a son, Craig; a daughter, Diane; four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.