Posted on 09/09/2004 8:38:21 AM PDT by nypokerface
Rep.Todd Tiahrt (R-Kan.) made an emotional return to the House floor Tuesday night for the first time since his 16-year-old son, Luke, died from suicide in late July.
Fellow Congress members, his professional staff members and House ushers embraced him as all around him expressed their sorrow and support.
During the hour of voting, Tiahrt, 53, stood amid friends Reps. Mike Pence (R-Ind.) and Mike Rogers (R-Mich.), who are said to have been closest to him throughout the past month.
File photo Rep. Todd Tiahrt (R-Kan.)
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Pence said, “It was the gutsiest thing I have seen in my entire career in Congress. I admire him greatly for coming back and giving all of us the opportunity to express our prayers. It says an enormous amount about Todd Tiahrt’s character that the day Congress went back to work, he did, too.”
The entire House-elected leadership attended Luke’s funeral last month, and members were close at hand yesterday to offer the Kansas representative whatever support they could.
“I’ve pretty much learned from the outside what he faces,” said Rep. Zach Wamp (R-Tenn.), who lives with Rep. Bart Stupak (D-Mich.), whose son committed suicide in 2000. “We’re there for him 24/7.”
Wamp said a handful of lawmakers who live together on Capitol Hill prayed for the Tiahrts at their regular Tuesday-night prayer session.
“I’ve walked through [Stupak’s] recovery, and every week is another chapter of pain,” Wamp added. “I can’t imagine what it’s like. They have a long, long road ahead of them.”
Since 2000, the 21-year-old son of Sen. Gordon Smith (R-Ore.) and the 16-year-old son of Stupak have taken their own lives. Smith’s son, Garrett, battled depression.
Stupak believes that an anti-acne drug, Accutane, contributed to his son’s death.
Suicide is the third leading cause of death among 15- to 24-year-olds, according to the Compassionate Friends (TCF), a national nonprofit bereavement group.
Wayne Loder, the group’s public-awareness coordinator, said, “There are no right words to say. Platitudes don’t cut it. You don’t want to try to find something positive in the child’s death. It’s a very difficult road that he’s going to have because it’s not a socially acceptable way to die. … There really should be no blame placed on anyone.”
Chuck Knapp, Tiahrt’s spokesman, said the congressman had spoken to Stupak and Smith.
Rogers, a close friend of Tiahrt’s, said, “It’s a personal thing, and I don’t feel comfortable talking. It’s the hardest thing a human being could go through.” He declined to say more, as did other members.
A senior member of the GOP leadership who is also a close friend of Tiahrt’s said he had called on his colleague every 10 days or so since the tragedy.
Knapp said of Tiahrt, “He was moved by the response to his sorrow, the overwhelming support he’s received on the floor last night. Even though they might have political differences, they’re still people and still care for each other.”
The Tiahrts have have remained largely out of the public eye since Luke’s death, although they have issued occasional statements and got away for a private family retreat last month.
Luke would have been a junior at J.T. Woodson High School in Fairfax, Va. His 19-year-old brother, John, has been working for Rep. John Doolittle (R-Calif.). Jis 23-year-old sister, Jessica, had worked for former Majority Leader Dick Armey (R-Texas).
John has put off plans to attend college, and Jessica deferred admission to George Mason University Law School, according to Knapp.
Coincidentally, the House will vote today, the one-year anniversary of Garrett Smith’s death, on the Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Act. The bill would authorize money for suicide prevention programs.
The vote was scheduled before Luke’s death. Suicide-prevention pressure groups have reportedly asked Tiahrt to give the bill high-profile support. Knapp said his boss will vote for it but will not speak on its behalf.
Knapp explained, “It’s a very emotional journey for the Tiahrts. At this point, the Tiahrts just are not ready to talk publicly about the journey they are undertaking.”
The family has established the Luke Tiahrt Memorial Fund, which will provide grants to organizations that benefits teens. They hope to have an endowment and a formal board of advisers to review applications.
I feel very sorry for this man and the loss of his son. However, there are many examples of people who go on after the loss of their loved ones ( I think of the families of our lost soldiers). Just because this man went back to work after the death of a loved one - this happens every day.
I know Todd Tiahrt and his family in South Dakota.
This is a good man, and one of our most stalwart conservative votes and voices in the House.
Kansas is blessed to have such a congressman.
This is the first I heard about this terrible tragedy.
I'll be praying for them.
Kansas Ping.
Semper Fi
Had you heard about this?
:-(
"This is the first I heard about this terrible tragedy."
I also had heard nothing of this. I'm glad they were able to keep it so private.
I hear ya...
Thanks for showing your compassion for the families of our lost GI's. I do think this man deserves the same comp-assion.
Broken hearted prayers for the family.
I hope this doesn't deter Todd from continuing to serve our country in any way.
Every jerk out there who will use this as an opportunity to blame his public career for his son's problems--and they will, believe me--can kiss my...
All families have problems, in and out of public life.
And America needs men like Tiahrt in government.
"died from suicide in late July."
I am very sorry for this families loss and for the pain they are experiencing.
My best friend had to return to work one week after her husband's suicide. But that is out here in the real world...
Prayers for the Tiahrts.
My brother's personality changed while he was on Accutane. He was very angry and sullen.
My Father just died August 16 and I worked the next two days.
I had to, my temp agency wouldn't pay me for the berreavement time! Lost two days that week in pay.
But, there is no way my returning to work can be called heroism ir courage, this man does not deserve anything for coming back to work over a month later, he needs to accept that.
What a sour response. Your point being...?
Unless you buried your own kid, you are clueless. And unless your kid committed suicide, you are even more clueless. Probably the deepest private hell on earth is for parents of suicide victims.
Sorry, just had to comment.
Amazing Grace.
That he can be functional in such a short time after such a severe tragedy.
My respect goes out to those who go back to work day after day, while they are suffering so intensely.
And unless you served in the same Swift Boat, you're clueless, is that it?
I agree with Gram. GOP Congresscritter or not, why should this man be lionized when the common man's family must shoulder the harness and carry on?
Sorry, just had to comment...
Wayne Loder, the group’s public-awareness coordinator, said, “There are no right words to say. Platitudes don’t cut it. You don’t want to try to find something positive in the child’s death. It’s a very difficult road that he’s going to have because it’s not a socially acceptable way to die. … There really should be no blame placed on anyone.”
If anyone knows a parent who has lost a child, I would always recommend the Compassionate Friends.
I lost two of my kids, both as babes, and think this is a great resource for anyone who needs them.
Ease up. It's just a headline...a quote from someone whose hyperbole in this horrible situation should be forgiven. He was just trying to buck up a grieving friend.
Todd Tiahrt is our Congressman from the 4th District in KS. We know and love him and his wonderful family. This tragedy has been truly devastating for everyone involved, but they are strong believers and will get through this by the grace and power of God and the faithful prayers of others. He is a stalwart of conservatism on the Hill; we need him there desperately!
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