U.S. Secretary of Education Rod Paige today issued the following statement on the death of Fred Rogers:

"It's a sad day in our American neighborhood.

"Fred Rogers was an American icon who taught all of us, as parents, important lessons about nurturing and loving our children. He was a compassionate role model who loved America's children unconditionally. He was their best advocate, always listening, always on their side.

"'There's only one person in the whole world like you,' he'd tell his young audience. And in the warmth of his acceptance, they learned and they grew.

"Fred Rogers was a true believer that no child should be left behind. His legacy of kindness and caring will live on -- not only in the lives he's touched through his music, his books and his many years on television, but also in the lives of future generations who will stop for a visit in Mister Rogers' Neighborhood.

"There was only one person in the whole world like Mister Rogers.

"My heart goes out to his wife, his sons and his grandsons, and all in his family who mourn the loss of America's favorite neighbor and friend."

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