Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Arizona (Ms. Sinema), my good friend, for yielding. She and I have the pleasure of serving on the House Financial Services Committee together and cooperating on many legislative measures and regulatory measures that benefit our economy, so I thank her for that work. I greatly appreciate her stepping up and reaching out across the aisle on the subject of suicide, particularly during Suicide Prevention Month, and letting all of us have an opportunity to share our perspective on this national tragedy. Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States. There is an average of 123 suicides per day. What could be more tragic than that? Yet, I don't see nearly the people on the floor tonight that there should be, because this affects all our districts so tragically. One in five are suffering with some form of mental illness in our country, a problem that has disrupted so many families, caused too much violence and pain, and caused far too many lives. Representative Sinema and I talk about this every time the subject comes up. When I was a high school senior, I can't remember a friend that was a victim of suicide. But, Mr. Speaker, my kids just turned 19 and 21, and within 4 or 5 years of their ages, I can think of six families who have lost a child to suicide--different reasons, same tragedy. So our families are hurting from the scourge of suicide.…”