WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) today released the following statement expressing his heartfelt condolences regarding the passing of Nelson Mandela:
“Today, I join hundreds of millions of people worldwide in mourning the extraordinary life and legacy of anti-apartheid revolutionary, Nobel Peace Prize recipient, and first Black president of South Africa, Nelson Mandela. Words alone cannot adequately praise his historic achievements or fully express my sympathy in learning of his passing. Mandela was an icon of the global community. He epitomized leadership, humanitarianism, and activism. Since first learning of Mandela as a young man, I have deeply admired his courage and vision to end racism and inequality through racial reconciliation. In many ways, Mandela inspired my life and career. I offer my heartfelt condolences to his family and the millions of South Africans and global citizens whose lives he influenced. Unequivocally, there will never be another quite like Nelson Mandela.”