chemotherapy for many years. He was mostly treated at Hospital Sírio-Libanês, in São Paulo. He also received experimental treatment at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas. Alencar died in late March 2011, in the city of São Paulo, after 13 years battling metastasized cancer. His death was met with expressions of grief and respect by members of different institutions and across the political spectrum – former President Lula said he knew "few men with José Alencar's goodness and spirit" and President Rousseff said it was an "honor" to have served alongside him. Brazil held a state funeral for José Alencar, and Vice President Michel Temer decreed seven days of official mourning. Alencar is remembered as an honest and independent politician who favored social welfare and economic freedom. References 1931 births 2011 deaths Brazilian businesspeople Deaths from cancer in São Paulo (state) Deaths from kidney cancer Defence ministers of Brazil Members of the Federal Senate (Brazil) People from Minas Gerais Vice presidents of Brazil Republicans (Brazil) politicians Candidates for Vice President of Brazil