OPINION/COLUMN
The news of Charlie Kirk’s senseless killing has left our community and our nation deeply shaken. Charlie was a good, Godfearing man, a devoted husband and a loving father who dedicated his life to teaching and guiding young people, showing them the principles of faith, responsibility and civic engagement. I take comfort in knowing that he is now resting in the arms of our Lord and Savior.
While I did not have a personal friendship with Charlie, I, like so many others, found a friend in his bold and courageous voice. He spoke truth with conviction, stood firmly by the values that define great conservative Republicans and worked to show the next generation what it means to walk by faith.
We have lost a remarkable man with a bright future ahead of him. I am praying for his wife and their two young children, that they find comfort in knowing his legacy will live on and continue to shape our country.
Sadly, Charlie’s death is not an isolated incident. Earlier this year, Minnesota experienced the tragic loss of former House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, in a politically motivated shooting at their home. State Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, were also targeted but survived the attack.
On the same day that Charlie died, a school in Colorado Springs had a shooting where two students were shot and taken to the hospital in critical condition.
These events serve as stark reminders that violence is never the answer. As someone who has served as a healthcare worker for more than 40 years, I have witnessed firsthand the harm people can inflict on one another.
These events are heartbreaking, and they show the urgent need for us to engage with each other respectfully, even when we disagree.
We should be able to debate, discuss and disagree without ever fearing for our lives or the lives of others. Charlie understood that, and his work leaves a lasting legacy, and his life reminds us of the importance of standing by our faith and our principles.
This is a moment for reflection, for prayer, and for coming together as a community. While we mourn these terrible losses, I am praying for Charlie’s family, for our state and for our country.
Let us recommit to building a country rooted in civility and respect, honoring the lives we have lost while working toward a brighter future.
As always, I am here to listen to your concerns and answer your questions. My email address is cynthia. roe@okhouse.gov, or you can call my office at 405557-7365.
I am praying for you and your family every day. Thank you for reaching out and staying involved. Together, we can make sure District 42 continues to be a great place to live, work and raise a family.
Rep. Cynthia Roe, a Republican, represents House District 42 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. Her district includes portions of Cleveland, Garvin and McClain counties.
