Ken Bacon has died of cancer. Refugees International has lost a leader. Refugees worldwide lose a tireless advocate. A statement from Secretary Clinton:

The United States and the world lost a great humanitarian leader with the passing today of Ken Bacon, President of Refugees International. Most Americans remember Ken as the unflappable civilian voice of the Department of Defense, where he served with distinction as spokesperson for many years. But for millions of the world’s most vulnerable people – refugees and other victims of conflict – Ken was an invaluable source of hope, inspiration and support. From Central Africa to South Asia to the Americas, Ken shone the spotlight on the causes of humanitarian suffering, and served as an impassioned yet reasoned advocate for the principles of humanitarian protection and assistance. We will miss Ken, but we will be inspired by the contributions he has made and the example he has set.

Clinton might also have mentioned that Bacon had a distinguished career as a journalist before seeking a life of public service and advocacy of human rights. Not that it’s much comfort to his family or his friends, but the spirit of Bacon’s civic-mindedness and decency lives on in, among other people, Samantha Power. RIP