Below is the list of tables from the database along with their columns and datatype. Need to generate an accurate SQL query for the question.
Only use the columns present in the respective table. Only use the columns which are required to generate the SQL query. Only use table joins if required and not otherwise.

### Tables ###
TABLE: CREATE TABLE table_name_16 ( tenure VARCHAR, date_of_death VARCHAR )

### Question ###
What is the Tenure of the Officer with a Date of death of 2001-08-31?

### Accurate SQL ###

SELECT tenure FROM table_name_16 WHERE date_of_death = "2001-08-31"