United States Rep. Pete Sessions, whose congressional district includes the Park Cities, said he and his wife Juanita are separating.

The 56-year-old republican congressman released a statement on Friday that said he and his wife have decided to end their 27-year marriage after much deliberation, according to the Dallas Morning News.

"After a great deal of thought and discussion, a decision has been made that my wife and I are separating," Sessions said in a statement released by his office. "I am grateful for many years of marriage, and the blessing of two wonderful sons."

The congressman and his wife were married in Feb. 1984 and have two sons. Their younger son has Down syndrome.

Sessions has served in Congress since 1996 and is currently a member of the house GOP leadership. He was selected in 2008 to chair the National Republican Congressional Committee. Sessions serves the 32nd District of Texas, which extends to Richardson, Irving and Oak Cliff.

Sessions recently spoke in Dallas at the 2011 Park Cities Fourth of July Parade.