VIDEO: Blackburn Pays Tribute to Charlie Kirk, Reflects on His Personal Impact and National Legacy

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) delivered remarks on the Senate floor to honor the life and legacy of Charlie Kirk, who was tragically assassinated at a speaking event at Utah Valley University. Senator Blackburn reflected not only on Charlie's impact as a conservative youth leader and founder of Turning Point USA, but also on her personal connection to him.

Click here to download Senator Blackburn's remarks on the Senate floor.

REMARKS AS PREPARED

Charlie Kirk Was a True American Patriot with a Generous Spirit

"Tennesseans and Americans across the country are grieving the loss of a true American patriot: Charlie Kirk.

He was a champion for freedom. He was a role model for millions of young people across our country. And he was a devoted husband and father who loved his family more than anything.

By adopting my colleague's resolution, this chamber has an opportunity to honor his incredible legacy.

We are going to miss him desperately, and I join so many across the country who are mourning with his family and praying for justice to be served.

I am grateful to have known Charlie personally, spending many hours speaking with him at Turning Point USA-the grassroots movement he started at just 18 years old that has changed our country for the better.

Charlie always made a point to stay in contact, offer help to push issues forward, and lend a hand, no matter how big or small the cause.

I'll share just one example of his generosity of spirit.

Young People Felt Like Charlie Was Rooting for Them

My eldest grandson was such a fan of Charlie, he tried starting a Turning Point Chapter at his school. But the school wouldn't allow it.

I texted Charlie to let him know, and Charlie jumped in to support my grandson and thank him for the effort.

And my grandson said he really felt like Charlie was rooting for him. I think that's the way young people felt.

They felt that Charlie was on their side, and Charlie wanted the best for them, and he wanted to encourage them, and he helped them to think critically through issues that matter to our country.

Blackburn Implores the Next Generation to Honor Charlie's Life by Fighting for the Movement He Championed

To any young person mourning this tremendous loss, I encourage you to honor Charlie's memory by continuing to support his movement to realize a conservative, prosperous United States of America.

Charlie believed in hard work and smart work, so honor him by working hard, by working smart, by looking for those opportunities to be a leader, to dream those big dreams like Charlie did, and then find a way to make those dreams come true. That is how you honor his life and his legacy.

We will not allow Charlie's life and legacy to be forgotten, and we will not stop fighting to eradicate the rot of political violence in our nation that claimed his life."