{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["http://pittenger.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/pittenger-let-us-pray-for-a-new-generation-of-nelson-mandelas", "Pittenger:  Let us pray for a new generation of Nelson Mandelas", "2013-12-05", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Robert Pittenger", "P000606", "pittenger.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\u00a0\nDecember 5, 2013\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\n CONGRESSMAN PITTENGER\u2019S STATEMENT ON THE DEATH OF FORMER SOUTH AFRICAN PRESIDENT NELSON MANDELA \n\u00a0\nCHARLOTTE \u2013 Congressman Robert Pittenger (NC-09) reflected today on the life and legacy of former South African President Nelson Mandela, and the continuing struggle for freedom around the world.\n\u00a0\n\u201cToday, the world lost one of our greatest champions for freedom. \u00a0Nelson Mandela\u2019s dignity, decency, and acts of forgiveness in the face of unspeakable oppression helped topple apartheid and heal a deeply divided nation.\n\u00a0\n\u201cAs we reflect on the life and legacy of President Mandela, I can\u2019t help but think of the Congressional hearing I participated in earlier today, where I listened to five young women share heartbreaking stories about their fathers, currently imprisoned in China for promoting democracy, human rights, and freedom of religion.\n\u00a0\n\u201cSadly, the fight for freedom and justice is not yet over, and many of our neighbors around the world remain oppressed. \u00a0Let us pray for a new generation of Nelson Mandelas to continue the fight.\u201d\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["http://pittenger.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/pittenger-let-us-pray-for-a-new-generation-of-nelson-mandelas"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 3.004268044605851, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}