Reply #55: Rep. Charlie Justice, D-St. Petersburg issues a statement [View All]

REP. JUSTICE'S STATEMENT

Rep. Charlie Justice, D-St. Petersburg, was home Thursday when the Florida House approved legislation intended to block the removal of Terri Schiavo's feeding tube. He later recorded a no vote and issued this statement:


I lost both of my parents in the last six months. My dad died last fall. My mom last week.

I drove home in the middle of the night in order to be with her the night she died. I was able to hold her hand as she took her last breath and say goodbye. Around her bedside were her children, her brother and her good friend.

There was no room at her bedside for politicians.

I am not sure how appropriate it is for me to bring my personal life story into this political discussion. I do think that it is more appropriate than bringing some people's politics into my family's personal situation.

I do not know all the facts of the Schiavo family tragedy. But we cannot honestly debate this bill without acknowledging that this legislation is centered on this one family. Without the omniscience of God, it is impossible to determine who is right and who is wrong.

For me, after what my family has gone through in recent months, I cannot support having politicians in Tallahassee make that decision for another family when I wouldn't want them making it for mine.

My daily prayer includes a simple closing, "May your will be done." It will be my prayer again tonight.
http://www.sptimes.com/2005/03/18/Tampabay/Schiavo_bill_loses_GO.shtml


Don't know whether to cheer or cry, feel like doing both.

This man's statement makes more sense to me than any others arising over this issue. Thank you, Rep. Justice.

*mods note: let me know if I need to snip this down. figured since it was a public statement, it could be posted in its entirety.