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Last Updated: Feb 13, 2017 - 1:45:37 AM |
 May 27th, 2016 - Today the White House released a statement on the passing of Cassandra Butts, an
Obama adviser who was nominated to be ambassador to The Bahamas, although her appointment to The
Bahamas was subject to ratification by the United States Senate. She passed away on May 24th.
In February 2014, her nomination was welcomed and acknowledged by the Bahamas government. She was re-nominated to the position on Thursday, February 5, 2015.
"To know Cassandra Butts was to know someone who made you want to be better," said a statement from U.S. president Barack Obama. "Michelle and I were fortunate enough to count her as a friend for most of our adult lives."
"Cassandra and I met as law students, and we quickly discovered a shared passion for jazz – and for public service. It was a passion she’d chase for the rest of her life – on Capitol Hill, at the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, at the Millennium Challenge Corporation, and as an advisor of mine – but above all, as a citizen, always pushing, always doing her part to advance the causes of opportunity, civil rights, development, and democracy. Cassandra was someone who put her hands squarely on that arc of the moral universe, and never stopped doing whatever she could to bend it towards justice.
"We lost her this week, at far too young an age. But along with all her friends and family, we find comfort in the knowledge that all the good she did for so many lives on. She made America better. She made so many lives better, including ours. We admired her so much. And we will miss her deeply."
A press statement was also issued by Chargé d' Affaires Lisa Johnson:
"On behalf of U.S. Embassy Nassau, I extend our deepest condolences to the family of Cassandra Butts. Cassandra Butts was honored that President Obama had asked her to be the next U.S. Ambassador to the Commonwealth of The Bahamas. She was greatly looking forward to forging even stronger ties between our two nations. Cassandra was a wonderful nominee for The Bahamas. She was an exemplary public servant with a passion for equality and justice. As a lawyer and policy advocate, Cassandra was committed to defending civil and human rights for people throughout the world. She was determined to tackle issues such as economic development, citizen safety and security, and social justice in The Bahamas. Even while patiently awaiting U.S. Senate confirmation, Cassandra was a great friend to The Bahamas. Over the last year, she worked closely with The Bahamas in her capacity as a Senior Advisor at the U.S. Mission to the United Nations.
"This is a tremendous loss to The United States and The Bahamas and she will be greatly missed. Our heartfelt sympathies are with her family and all who knew and loved her."
U.S. Secretary of State, John Kerry also made a statement.
(August 10, 1965 - May 26, 2016) was a United States lawyer, policy
expert and former Deputy White House counsel. On December 23, 2008,
Butts was selected by President-elect Obama to serve as Deputy White
House Counsel, focusing on domestic policy and ethics. She was also on
the advisory board for then-president-elect Barack Obama's presidential
transition team. She stepped down as Deputy White Counsel in November
2009 and served as Senior Advisor in the Office of the Chief
Executive Officer at the Millennium Challenge Corporation.
Bahamas Offers Condolences on the Death of U.S. Ambassador Designate, Cassandra Butts
© Copyright 2016 by thebahamasweekly.com
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