Senate Minority Leader Brian W. Jones (R-San Diego) has issued the following statement on the death of Charles James Kirk:
“Today a young family mourns the loss of its patriarch and a nation mourns the loss of one of its most promising young sons. Charlie made a difference in the lives of so many during his short stay on this earth and he will be dearly missed as he leaves us to join the Lord.
"He was killed for what he believed in, which is true tragedy, but he was killed doing what he believed in, which is also beautiful. Charlie’s outreach on college campuses and online changed the culture in ways that will live on forever. His passion was to get the youth engaged in a honest, open dialogue. And did he ever achieve that.
"We lost a patriot today, a modern day martyr for free speech and civic engagement killed in an act of detestable and cowardly political violence. Thomas Jefferson once famously said, “the tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.” Those words ring true today. Let us take care that we allow that tree to grow and blossom as it feeds on the lifeblood of Charles J. Kirk in the years to come. Let us collectively refuse to see it chopped down by would be political assassins and the enemies of freedom.
"Charlie Kirk reached millions through his works. Charlie Kirk reached me. Charlie Kirk will be missed and remembered by so many, forever. May his unwavering faith guide him to the promised land now and forever and may the Lord watch over his wife and young children until they join him there. And lastly, may God bless these United States of America which he loved so deeply."