Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Former Sen. John Kyl, R-Ariz., announced Tuesday that he has been diagnosed with dementia and will step away from public life.

The Republican served for almost three decades in Congress. He said he was withdrawing from public life after the diagnosis.

The Republican served for almost three decades in Congress. He said he was withdrawing from public life after the diagnosis.

Former Republican U.S. Sen. Jon Kyl of Arizona on Tuesday announced his withdrawal from public life following a dementia diagnosis. Kyl, 83, represented Arizona in both chambers of Congress for nearly three decades. “My family and I now head down a path filled with moments of joy and increasing difficulties," Kyl said in a statement.

Kyl, 83, represented Arizona in both chambers of Congress for nearly three decades. Most of those years were in the Senate, including a term as minority whip.

Former Arizona Republican Sen. Jon Kyl, 83, announced he is withdrawing from public life after being diagnosed with dementia following decades of service in Congress.

Former Arizona Republican Sen. Jon Kyl, 83, announced he is withdrawing from public life after being diagnosed with dementia following decades of service in Congress.