Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson issued the following statement on the passing of former President René Préval:
“I was deeply saddened to learn of the death of Haiti’s former President René Préval on Friday, March 3, 2017. My constituents, especially members of District 24’s Haitian community, join me in sending our heartfelt condolences to his family and to the people of Haiti who are mourning his loss. President Préval will be best remembered for having achieved what no other Haitian leader has thus far, and that is to serve a full term and then transfer power to an elected successor. Moreover, he did so not once, but twice. Before a devastating earthquake struck Haiti in 2010, the year before the end of his second term, the nation’s political environment was stable and its economy was growing at the second-fastest rate in the hemisphere. Both improvements were thanks to President Préval’s leadership. May he rest in peace.”
