Sen. Arlen Specter Dies

Former U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter died Sunday, according to CNN, at age 82 in his Philadelphia home.

Specter represented Pennsylvania in the Senate for 30 years. Specter started as a Democrat but switched to the Republican party before being elected to the U.S. Senate. The senator made headlines in 2009 when he switched to the Democratic Party.

Specter announced his diagnosis of Hodgkin's disease in 2005. He underwent multiple treatments of chemotherapy and finally succumbed to non-Hodgkin's lymphoma Sunday.

Sen. Pat Toomey released the following statement, “A man of sharp intelligence and dogged determination, Sen. Specter dedicated his life to public service and the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. His impact on our state and public policy will not be forgotten. My wife Kris and I send our thoughts and prayers to Joan and the entire Specter family.”

Gov. Tom Corbett released the following statement on his Facebook page: “For more than five decades, Arlen Specter lived a life devoted to public service on behalf of the people of Pennsylvania and the United States. Pennsylvania has lost a political figure whose career stretched from Philadelphia's City Hall to the chambers of the U.S. Senate. We are saddened to hear of his death.”

Sen. John McCain Tweeted Sunday afternoon: "Arlen Specter - a dear friend who served his state and nation with honor and distinction. RIP."

The funeral, which will be open to the public, will be Tuesday at Har Zion Temple in Penn Valley, according to philly. com. Interment will follow at Shalom Memorial Park at Pine and Byberry roads in Huntingdon Valley. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions may be made to Philadelphia University or another charity.