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So he uses his son's death as yet another opportunity to spend taxpayers' money. How cold.

I don't know if you've ever suffered through the death of someone you love very, very deeply. By your comment, I'd guess not. But let me tell you, as one who knows such loss intimately, that one of the manifestations of grief is a need to memorialize the loved one who died. Typically, the type of memorial is based on the type of death. Legislation is not an uncommon form of memorial if the death was of a nature — cancer, murder, terrorism, kidnapping, etc. — so as to affect society at large.

The Smiths are not using their son's death, they are memorializing him through a piece of legislation they believe may prevent other young people from going down the same dark road. It's their way of both giving his life meaning and giving their son a legacy.

If you are incapable of both understanding and sympathizing with what they are doing, you are a very empty individual, indeed. (Notice I didn't say agree with, merely understand and sypathize with...)

You are so wrong.
He needs to memorialize his son as a father - not as a Senator.

Thank you for this post. My condolences to this family.

I have suffered with bipolar disorder for years and I've been where this poor young man went. I survived my attempt, but I have several close relatives who did not. I certainly understand what this legislator is doing and why he is doing it.

That said, I don't really think there is much the federal government could have done. This seems like the type of program that will have to be cut/defunded in a few years and then that would seem heartless. OTOH, I do think increased awareness of mental health issues should be under the purview of the federal government, i.e. the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. There is no easy answer.

The Smiths are not using their son's death, they are memorializing him through a piece of legislation they believe may prevent other young people from going down the same dark road. It's their way of both giving his life meaning and giving their son a legacy.

If they want to memorialize their son, collect donations and build him a monument. DO not use our tax dollars to fund another boondoggle.