The Government of Liberia announces with profound regrets the death of Mr. David Straz, Liberia’s Honorary Consul to Florida, United States of America.

According to a Foreign Ministry release, this sad event occurred on Monday, November 18, 2019.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs extends profound sympathy on behalf of H.E. President George Manneh Weah and the Government and People of Liberia to the bereaved family for the irreparable loss sustained.

Mr. Straz was a dedicated and renowned diplomat who sought Liberia’s interest particularly in the education sector as well as helping to attract investment opportunities for Liberia.

Over the years Mr. Straz played a significant role in helping to improve the education system of Liberia with one of his landmark efforts being the refurbishment of the Sinje Technical and Vocational College of the University of Liberia which is now called the David Straz Sinje Technical College.

Mr.  Straz contributed US$ 1 million dollar for the construction of the 2 million dollar polytechnic college project which was dedicated in 2016.

Straz was a longtime philanthropist, specifically for the arts: In 1993, he founded the David A. Straz Jr. Foundation to support organizations in performing arts, higher education, visuals arts and civic engagement. In 2009, the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center was renamed the David A. Straz Jr. Center for the Performing Arts after he donated a substantial unknown amount.

Most recently Mr. Straz took a leap into politic s when he contested the mayoral race in  the US City of Tampa, Florida where he contested against Jane Castor