BROOKLYN, N.Y. – Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke released the following statement on the passing of the Honorable Shimon Peres:

“On behalf of the people of the 9th Congressional District of NY, I join with members of the Jewish community here in Brooklyn and millions of people around the world in expressing my condolences on the passing of the Honorable Shimon Peres. Shimon Peres was among the last of Israel’s founding generation. Like so many of that generation, he knew of sacrifice, but also lived to see Israel flourish. These experiences inspired Peres to dream of a new Middle East in which its residents could live together in peace, prosperity, and security. He received the Nobel Peace Prize for this very vision in 1994 and soon after became Prime Minister of Israel once again following the tragic assassination of Yitzhak Rabin. Peres later returned to public life in 2007 as President of Israel, where he was widely regarded as a global elder statesman. In a public career that spanned more than 50 years, Peres distinguished himself as a man of peace and vision who believed in Israel’s ability to live with its neighbors and the power of technological innovation to improve the wellbeing of all those in his region and around the world. I express my sincerest condolences to Mr. Peres’ family, friends, and all those around the world who mourn his loss. May his memory be a blessing. Yehi Zichro Baruch.”

Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke, a member of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, the Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade, the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, and the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, the Committee on Ethics and the Committee on Small Business in the House of Representatives, proudly represents Brownsville, Crown Heights, East Flatbush, Flatbush, Gerritsen Beach, Madison, Midwood, Park Slope, Flatlands, Prospect Heights, Prospect-Lefferts Gardens, Sheepshead Bay, and Windsor Terrace.