Congressional Freethought Caucus, Secular Community Issue Statements on the Passing of Tommy Raskin

January 06, 2021

Washington, D.C. – Today, members of the Congressional Freethought Caucus and co-founder Jared Huffman (CA-02) released the following statement of condolence for fellow co-founder Representative Jamie Raskin (MD-08) and his family on the passing of their beloved Tommy Raskin. The Freedom from Religion Foundation, the Secular Coalition for America, and American Humanist Association joined the Congressional Freethought Caucus in extending their sympathies. 

“Losing such a brilliant and remarkable young man is an unimaginable loss for the Raskin family.   Tommy was a powerful reflection of the talent, integrity and kindness we see every day in our friend and fellow Freethinker, Jamie.  Our hearts go out to him, Sarah, Hannah and Tabitha.  Tommy sought to better the world, and we hope it brings his family solace to know his example will continue to inspire many others to do the same,” members of the Congressional Freethought Caucus said.   

Congressman Jared Huffman, who along with Rep. Raskin co-founded the Freethought Caucus in 2018, offered his own Humanist message of condolence:  “If this one life on earth is all we’ve got, then it’s that much more important that we live it with passion, purpose and principle the way Tommy did.  I hope it brings comfort to Jamie and his family to know that a multitude of their secularist friends and admirers are feeling their anguish and sending our own types of prayers, with love and empathy in our hearts.”

“At the American Humanist Association, we were grateful to have had a glimpse of Tommy's magic when he came to an AHA conference and provided his moving spoken word poetry, wowing us all with a memory that continues to resonate in humanist hearts. We send love and deep condolences for this profound loss. As the "Great Agnostic" Robert Ingersoll wrote in 1882, under the title Oration at a Child's Grave: ‘I should rather live and love where death is king than have eternal life where love is not.’,” said American Humanist Association Executive Director Roy Speckhardt.

“We are so sorry for your loss, and the world's loss of a remarkable young man. In this very difficult time, we hope you will find comfort in each other and the knowledge that you have a community of well-wishers across the country,” said the Freedom From Religion Foundation.

"The loss of Tommy Raskin is one of profound sorrow. A brilliant young man with the brightest of futures, Tommy lived his life dedicated to Tikkun Olam, repairing the world, clearly following the examples of his parents and grandparents. Through his many acts of kindness he has made the world a better place, and along the way he has inspired so many others to do the same. The Secular Coalition for America extends our most sincere and deepest condolences to Tommy's parents Jamie and Sarah, his sisters Hannah and Tabitha, and the rest of his family and friends. May his memory be for a blessing," stated Debbie Allen, Executive Director of the Secular Coalition for America.  

###