Washington, D.C. – On behalf of Citizens Against Government Waste’s (CAGW) Board of Directors, present and former staff, as well as all of its members and supporters across the country, CAGW President Tom Schatz today released the following statement of condolence regarding the untimely death of John Berthoud, President of the National Taxpayers Union (NTU):

“John Berthoud’s unexpected and premature death yesterday is a real blow to those who knew him and worked side-by-side with him and his wonderful staff at the National Taxpayers Union for the last 11 years.  His contributions to the ongoing effort to reduce taxes and bring spending under control were almost too numerous to list.  His energy, devotion, and intelligence will be sorely missed.  In an era when politics has become shrill and partisan, he was a true gentleman: warm, generous, gracious and soft-spoken.

 “John was loyal and dedicated to his employees, friends, family, and the conservative movement.  He always had a kind word for everyone he knew.  In fact, he would often greet me by saying, ‘How are you, my friend?’

 “John was one of the first to recognize the need to coordinate on a regular basis the activities of our small band of taxpayer advocates, who every day face a dizzying array of forces that are intent on wasting the taxpayers’ money.  CAGW and NTU have enjoyed a very close and cooperative working arrangement for many years; if organizations could be ‘friends,’ the two groups certainly qualify.  While that relationship existed prior to John’s becoming president of NTU 11 years ago, it has blossomed since then.  He will be sorely missed.  We send our deepest regrets to his family and friends, and his colleagues at NTU.  CAGW promises to redouble its commitment to protecting the American taxpayer, something to which John devoted so much of his life.”

Citizens Against Government Waste is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating waste, fraud, abuse, and mismanagement in government.