President Barack Obama released the following statement:
I am heartbroken at the tragic loss of one of my advisors, Jake Brewer. We set out to recruit the best of the best to join their government and help us harness the power of technology and data to innovate new solutions for the 21st century. Simply put, Jake was one of the best. Armed with a brilliant mind, a big heart, and an insatiable desire to give back, Jake devoted his life to empowering people and making government work better for them.
He worked to give citizens a louder voice in our society. He engaged our striving immigrants. He pushed for more transparency in our democracy. And he sought to expand opportunity for all. Ive often said that todays younger generation is smarter, more determined, and more capable of making a difference than I was as a young man. Jake was proof of that. Michelle and I are praying for all of Jakes family and his many friends, most of all his wife, Mary Katharine Ham, their daughter, Georgia, and their growing family. Theyll always have a family here at the White House.
Those of us who love Jake want to help ensure that Mary Katharine and the family have everything they need now and (especially) in the future. Please contribute to help provide for their childrens education as they grow up. These funds may also be used to advance ideas about which Jake was passionate. Finally, Mary Katharine has asked that people consider donating to a cause very close to their hearts: The Travis Manion Foundation, which supports families of fallen US servicemen, at www.TravisManion.org.