Shaheen Statement on the Passing of Amer Fakhoury

**SHAHEEN: Billy and I send our condolences and continue to offer our support to the Fakhoury family who have been through so much**

(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) issued the following statement on the passing of Amer Fakhoury:

“It’s heartbreaking to learn of Amer’s passing,” said Shaheen. “Billy and I send our condolences and continue to offer our support to the Fakhoury family who have been through so much. I’m very relieved that Amer was able to spend the last few months of his life surrounded by loved ones while receiving the best care possible. Amer was a loving husband, father and grandfather, and a pillar in his community. He immigrated to the United States, and through hard work and entrepreneurship, he lived the American dream. I know all of New Hampshire mourns with the Fakhoury family.”

Amer was a well-known and well-liked small business owner from Dover, New Hampshire who was visiting Lebanon in September 2019 when his U.S. passport was confiscated. Soon after, he was taken into custody and illegally detained in Beirut. While in prison, it was discovered that he was suffering from stage 4 cancer. Senator Shaheen worked with Amer’s lawyer, the White House and the State Department to free him.