As he battles brain cancer, former Nebraska Congressman Brad Ashford is receiving high praise from the man he once flew to Omaha with aboard Air Force One.

Former President Barack Obama “fondly” remembering that 2016 visit in a letter to Ashford.

According to Obama, he’s “grateful” for all Ashford has done throughout his career to “unite and lift up the people of Nebraska and Americans everywhere.”

Ashford was elected to Congress in 2014 serving one term following 16 years in the Nebraska State Legislature.

Having been a Democrat, Republican and independent, he’s known for his constant push for bipartisanship.

A few weeks ago, Omaha State Sen. Rich Pahls, a Republican, took to the floor of the Legislature commenting that he missed the kind of politics Ashford practiced.

“These past several days I saw Brad on Facebook,” said Pahls adding, “And the person who was shaking his hand was (Republican Congressman) Don Bacon; the person who had defeated him.”

In his March 15 letter Obama added, “I hope you know that there is an enormous community of people rooting for you, myself included.

Ashford posted the letter on Facebook noting, “President Obama has always had my back. I miss him very much.”