Jack Reed: “5 years ago today, Senator Paul Wellstone, his wife Sheila, his daughter Marcia, and three of his staff perished in a…”

“5 years ago today, Senator Paul Wellstone, his wife Sheila, his daughter Marcia, and three of his staff perished in a plane crash. This was a tragic loss to the Wellstone family, including his two surviving sons, David and Mark, his State, our Nation, and this body. His passion, energy, and commitment on behalf of the ``little guys''--all those without a voice, including children, the poor, the homeless, victims of domestic violence, the mentally ill--serves as an example to us all. He was a champion for all those who needed one, and for doing what is right. This was well-illustrated in his unwavering devotion to the fight for mental health parity, robust education funding, and affordable housing. Senator Wellstone worked tirelessly to achieve fairness in the treatment of mental illness. On September 18, the Senate unanimously passed mental health parity. In the other body, the Paul Wellstone Mental Health and Addiction Equity Act recently moved through committee. We must continue the fight toward final passage of mental health parity. I look forward to that day, which will be a historic achievement, and an enduring memorial to the life of this great man.”