"No one man has done as much recently for the rights of Irish people as he has."
John Hume will forever be known as a man that tirelessly worked towards his unique vision for the future of Northern Ireland, peace.
But this wasn't a peace that would be brought about through violence, sectarianism, or armed conflict.
Instead, Hume's leadership and calm authority would reach out to everyone in the community - regardless of religion or nationality - as he relied on his greatest skill, communication.
Despite the growing horror and bloodshed that defined The Troubles, the Derry man never lost his belief in the idea of a peaceful Northern Ireland, or the means that he would use to achieve it, non-violent political protest.
After watching
In the Name of Peace: John Hume in America, it's evident that the amount of respect and admiration that John Hume commands from the public and some of the world's leading politicians is absolutely unshakeable.
Of course, Hume's work was incredibly brave given the socio-political climate that he was working in.
His policy of speaking with various US governments and presidents provoked criticism from within the SDLP. He also received death threats after trying to open a political discussion with Sinn Féin because he wanted to involve them in the peace process.
Hume's legacy will be defined by the fact he was integral in the implementation of the Good Friday Agreement. Simply put, thousands of people have better lives thanks to his leadership, bravery and vision.
Even before that historic agreement was signed in 1998, Hume was instrumental in brokering the power-sharing Sunningdale Agreement and the Anglo-Irish Agreement.
Hume's monumental work in ensuring a better future for all Irish people ultimately saw him win the Nobel Peace Prize, the Gandhi Peace Prize and the Martin Luther King Award - he's the only recipient of those three major peace awards.
In a fitting tribute, Bill Clinton heralded him as "the Martin Luther King of the Irish conflict" and the former president of the U.S. wasn't the only person that was incredibly impressed by this timely reminder of Hume's commitment to ensuring peace in Northern Ireland.
https://twitter.com/simoncoveney/status/1026754413057241089
It's clear that John Hume continues to be regarded as one of the greatest Irishmen of the modern era.
https://twitter.com/GrahamPatchell/status/1026937569962012672
https://twitter.com/sean_haughey/status/1026952677832437760
https://twitter.com/LiamToland7/status/1026951955938271234
https://twitter.com/conalbaxter/status/1026935816839471105
https://twitter.com/DermotKeyes/status/1026935704868335617
https://twitter.com/LaobhaoiseNihE/status/1026935140075753472
https://twitter.com/dulchiewhelan/status/1026930394933981185
https://twitter.com/JanOSullivanTD/status/1026942843334651904
https://twitter.com/cmmullan4/status/1026947596995227651
https://twitter.com/conalbaxter/status/1026948273511321600
https://twitter.com/Fumesster/status/1026950363675590664
Quite a few people also made the very relevant point that highlighted Hume's remarkable work when compared to the current political vacuum that exists in Northern Ireland.
https://twitter.com/jcampbell1979/status/1026941270424469504
https://twitter.com/mickfinn01/status/1026948966078926854
https://twitter.com/JohnOKelly5/status/1026954496876965888
