This afternoon President Obama spoke by phone with Mrs. Graça Machel to express the condolences of the Obama family and the American people on the passing of her husband, Nelson Mandela.  The President thanked Mrs. Machel for the profound influence that Nelson Mandela has had on him, and underscored the power of President Mandela’s example for the people of South Africa and the entire world.  President Obama expressed gratitude and thanks for the joy that Graça Machel brought to Nelson Mandela’s life, and the commitment to a peaceful, fair, and loving world that she and President Mandela shared.

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