Congressman Cleaver's Statement on the Death of Ambassador Christopher Stevens

“Today, I join President Barack Obama and Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton in condemning in the strongest terms the murder of United States Ambassador to Libya Christopher Stevens and three other American diplomats.  It should be clear that the freedom we enjoy in this country has been sustained by their service and their willingness to defend it, even in the most perilous times and in the face of the gravest dangers.  This attack must not diminish the hopefulness and dedication that were the hallmarks of Ambassador Stevens’ service, nor should we tolerate those who would leverage this tragedy for political purposes; to do so insults the life he and his colleagues lived and their dedication to unity.”

Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri’s Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee's Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Belton, Raymore and Peculiar, Missouri. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee. Congressman Cleaver also serves as a Senior Whip of the Democratic Caucus and Chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus.