Congressman dies after cancer battle

WASHINGTON (CNN) – Rep. Mark Takai of Hawaii has died after a battle with pancreatic cancer, his office announced Wednesday. He was 49.

“The Takai family thanks the people of Hawaii for their support during this difficult time,” said an official statement issued by the congressman’s office, which noted Takai was surrounded by his family.

Takai, a Democrat, made his cancer publicly known last year after a tumor was found in his pancreas.