Idaho human rights icon Marilyn Shuler died early this morning at a Boise hospital; she was 77. Former Idaho Gov. Cecil Andrus issued this statement today:

"Carol and I extend our deepest condolences to Marilyn's family and to her thousands and thousands of friends and admirers in Idaho and across the country. Idaho has lost its greatest champion for human rights and basic decency. Marilyn Shuler was our moral compass in the ongoing fight to ensure that all people are treated with respect, dignity, compassion and as the law and the Constitution demand.

 "Although small in physical stature and forced to overcome her own physical limitations, Marilyn was an absolute giant in the fight for human rights. I benefited greatly from her consistently wise counsel. Marilyn brought real grace, great intelligence, the highest degree of integrity and genuine moral leadership to her decades long leadership of human rights efforts in Idaho.

 "Her death is a huge loss for all Idahoans committed to the cause of human rights, but I take heart in knowing that Marilyn's message to us will continue to be, as it always has been, simple and profound - fight on, do the right thing and be courageous in pushing back against hatred and bigotry."

The Idaho Statesman has a full report here.