President Obama issued a statement today thanking U.S. Rep. Mark Takai for his service to Hawaii and praising his courage and leadership, following the Hawaii congressman’s announcement that he will retire at the end of his term because of pancreatic cancer.

“As a long-time Lieutenant Colonel in the Hawaii Army National Guard, as a champion for our brave men and women in uniform and our veterans, and as someone who stands up for our working families, he’s always been a fighter. That’s the approach he’ll take to his battle with cancer, too,” Obama said in a written statement issued by the White House.

“Michelle and I thank Mark for his leadership and service, but also for his courage and tireless advocacy for cancer research – research that has given hope to others who fight this disease every day. And we want Mark to know that he and his family have our continued support and warmest wishes on their journey ahead.”

Takai, 48, announced Thursday that he won’t run for re-election to Congress.

He was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer seven months ago and said he recently learned his cancer had spread.

Takai plans to serve out his current term.

In his statement Thursday, Takai said that “putting Hawaii and its people first means that I must regretfully withdraw from my 2016 re-election race for Congress and suspend my campaign. Right now, for the sake of my family, I need to focus on getting better rather than getting re-elected.”

Takai and his wife, Sami, have two children, Matthew, 14, and Kaila, 12.

Takai was elected to his first term in Congress in 2014 to represent urban Oahu.

Takai served in the state Legislature for two decades before winning election last year to the U.S. House seat that was vacated by former U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa.