Tim Walberg: “I thank the chairman for his good work in organizing this Special Order this evening. The tragic opioid epidemic has…”

“I thank the chairman for his good work in organizing this Special Order this evening. The tragic opioid epidemic has, unfortunately, become a major part of our national conversation, and that is what brings us here tonight, to raise awareness and continue our push for bipartisan solutions. I am grateful for Chairman Walden's and Chairman Burgess' leadership and the work of my colleagues on the Energy and Commerce Committee doing a lot of work to tackle this public health crisis head on. Too many Americans from all walks of life and from all parts of the country are facing the terrifying realities of the opioid crisis. It is a deeply personal and painful issue for many of our friends and loved ones. I recently held a number of community forums in my district to collaborate with local leaders and hear from families whose lives had been swept up by the opioid epidemic. At one of those events, I joined with my good friend, a very successful electrical contractor, Mike Hirst, to speak with students at Jackson High School about the dangers of drug addiction. In 2010, Mike's son, Andy, died of a heroin overdose at the age of 24. This tragic loss has led Mike to dedicate himself to sharing the experience of his son's death and helping educate the community. Mike started a foundation in honor of his son and called it Andy's Angels, where he has counseled addicts, supported families, mentored at-risk youth, and more.…”