One of America’s greatest intellectual heroes of freedom passed away last night.

Here’s the Friedman Foundation’s statement:

Today, upon news of the death of Nobel Laureate economist Dr. Milton Friedman, Gordon St. Angelo, president and CEO of the Milton and Rose D. Friedman Foundation, offered the following statement:

America has lost a true visionary and advocate for human freedom. And I have lost a great friend.

Milton’s passion for freedom and liberty has influenced more lives than he ever could possibly know. His writings and ideas have transformed the minds of U.S. Presidents, world leaders, entrepreneurs and freshmen economic majors alike. The loss of his passion, incisive mind and dedication to freedom are all national treasures that we mourn for today.

Milton never chose to slow down; even at 94 he kept fighting to bring educational equality to all of America’s children. And it’s this vision, this drive for educational liberty that the Friedman Foundation will continue to bring to families throughout America.

His impact on my life over the last 33 years was significant. His impact on the world was momentous. Without a doubt, few people have done more to advance civil and economic liberties throughout the world during their lifetime than Dr. Milton Friedman.

Here’s President Bush’s 2002 tribute on Friedman’s 90th birthday.

Here’s Friedman’s tribute to Ronald Reagan.

Allah has video of Friedman from the “Open Mind” program.

The “Free to Choose” website has a fabulous archive of Friedman’s video appearances–including his famous gigs on the Dinah Shore and Phil Donahue shows.

Mary Katharine has another of my favorite Milton Friedman vids–taking off from Leonard Read’s classic “I, Pencil” essay.

Friedman’s work on educational choice had the most profound impact on me. Consider making a donation to the Friedman Foundation, which continues to carry the torch for free-market alternatives to the government school monopoly, here.