Synopses & Reviews
Oregon Senator Gordon Smith's son, Garrett, battled learning disabilities and clinical depression for most of his life. At the age of twenty-two, while attending the University of Utah, this popular young man took his own life. As parents, Smith and his wife Sharon, who had adopted Garrett as a newborn, were heartbroken. And, as a senator, Smith was forced to question whether he had the strength or even the desire to carry on in politics. For the first time, Smith candidly retraces his son's life leading up to his suicide. He chronicles the crippling sadness he and his wife faced in the aftermath; and how, with the help of faith and those around him, he not only returned to politics, but became a fearless advocate of suicide prevention. His moving speech on the Senate floor upon the passage of his Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Act, which increases federal funding to combat the ever-growing problem of youth suicide, brought a rare moment of bipartisan support on the Senate floor and helped open a long overdue national discussion. Remembering Garrett speaks from the heart to parents who have experienced the same tragedy, or are fighting for a child struggling with depression.
Synopsis
Oregon Senator Gordon Smith's son, Garrett, battled clinical depression for most of his life, and at the age twenty-two while attending the University of Utah, he took his own life. As parents, the suicide was absolutely heart-breaking for Smith and his wife, who had adopted Garrett as a newborn, and as a senator, Smith was forced to question whether he had the strength or even the desire to carry on in politics.
Smith candidly retraces his son's life leading up to his suicide and chronicles the crippling sadness he and his wife faced in the aftermath. With the help of faith and others around him, Smith not only returned to politics, but has become a tireless advocate of suicide prevention. Smith's memoir speaks from the heart as a parent to other parents who have experienced the same tragedy.
About the Author
Gordon Smith is currently serving his second term in the United States Senate, where he has represented his home state of Oregon since 1997. During his service in the Capitol, he has earned a reputation for independence, effectiveness, and an ability to bridge partisan differences. A graduate of Brigham Young University and Southwestern University School of Law, Smith entered politics after a successful career in the food processing industry. The death of their son, Garrett, propelled Smith and his wife Sharon to embark on a mission to improve mental health programs and to combat the epidemic of youth suicide.