Bass statement on the passing of Ashley Gammon

WASHINGTON, DC--Congresswoman Karen Bass (D-Calif.) released the statement below on the passing of Ashley Gammon, who served as the Congresswoman’s communications director from October 2011 to October 2012.

“It is with a heavy heart that I learned last weekend of the passing of Ashley Gammon, who served on my staff as my communications director before moving back to her home town of St. Louis, Missouri, most recently serving as the director of communications for the United Way of Greater St. Louis.

“Like many of her generation, Ashley signed up to work on President Obama's first presidential campaign in 2008 and she believed that she could truly make a difference. And she did make a difference both at the Department of Housing and Urban Development and in my own office on Capitol Hill helping to keep my constituents informed and continuing to promote the Democratic agenda. 

“I was most struck by how much she touched and stayed in touch with her former friends and colleagues in Washington. It is clear that her passing affected everyone very deeply. I will remember Ashley both for her tireless work and for her sweet and bright smile.  She brought people together and was a true friend in life as is evident in the outpouring of sympathy in the Capitol Hill community. I join Ashley's friends and family in mourning her loss and celebrating a wonderful young woman who was taken from us too early.”