Former Utah Rep. Mia Love, first Black Republican woman in House, dies at 49

What they're saying: "In the midst of a celebration of her life and an avalanche of happy memories, Mia quietly slipped the bands of mortality and, as her words and vision always did, soared heavenward," the family wrote in a statement. "We are thankful for the many good wishes, prayers and condolences."

• "From the time we were mayors together I could always count on Mia as a true friend," Utah Gov. Spencer Cox wrote on X. "Her legacy of service inspired all who knew her."

Zoom out: Love was the first Black Republican woman to serve in Congress and was the daughter of Haitian immigrants.

• She represented Utah's 4th congressional district from 2015 to 2019. Before that, she was the mayor of Saratoga Spring, Utah, and previously served on its city council board.
• After leaving Congress, Love was a contributor for CNN.

Driving the news: In a piece for Deseret News published March 11, Love said her cancer was not responding to treatment and wrote to say thank you and express her "living wish" for the country.

• "We must fight to keep the America we know as that shining city on a hill — truly the last best hope on earth. Like Benjamin Franklin and countless patriots down through the ages, I believe the American experiment is not a setting sun but a rising sun."