Veteran Rep. Bill ichols, D-Ala., just re-elected to a 12th term, died Tuesday of a heart attack at his Capitol Hill office, a spokeswoman said. He was 70.

A member of Nichols' staff found the congressman collapsed at his desk shortly after 7 a.m. EST and summoned congressional police to try to revive him.Although he died in his office, Nichols was not pronounced dead until 8:16 a.m. at Capitol Hill Hospital, following several attempts at cardiopulmonary resuscitation, a spokeswoman said.

Funeral arrangements have not been completed, but the service will be held in Alabama.

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Nichols, by virtue of his seniority, was No. 3 member of the House Armed Services Committee.

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