Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my friends from New Jersey and Michigan for their help on this important bill. Mr. Speaker, I would like to begin with a startling statistic. Every 9 minutes, someone in the United States attempts suicide or is successful, and for every suicide-related death, there are 25 attempts. These are truly heartbreaking statistics. Sadly, they hit close to home in Utah, which ranks fifth for the highest suicide deaths in the U.S. One example is Madison Radtke, a charitable and loving young lady who unexpectedly took her own life. I have gotten to know Madison's family, and it has been an honor to do so. Madison is remembered for her kindness to others and for her ability to see the good in each person. Here is something that is startling and should be terrifying to those of us who are parents: Madison didn't show any sign of suicidal thoughts. To others around her, she seemed to be making the most of the prime of her life. This is a sad reminder that suicide can strike anywhere. These are our neighbors, our coworkers, our friends, our family members. I believe that we have the power and we have the responsibility to reach out and to help them. Yes, there are many tools available for people who are struggling with mental illness or thoughts of suicide, but, tragically, some of these resources are simply too difficult to find in a time of urgent need.…”