The Board of Directors and staff of the UN Association of the National Capital Area wish to express our deepest condolences to Representative Jamie Raskin (MD-8) for the recent loss of his beloved son at age 25 to depression.
Rep. Raskin announced his son's death on New Year's Eve and the family launched The Tommy Raskin Memorial Fund for People and Animals that will benefit the charities he championed, including the Helen Keller Institute and Animal Outlook through the Greater Washington Community Foundation.
The family published an emotional tribute describing Tommy as "a radiant light in this broken world." The Raskins detailed Tommy's lifelong penchant for helping others, describing him as a "daring outspoken defender of all outcasts and kids in trouble" who "always made time for the loneliest kids in class" at every stage of life.
There are no words to describe the unbearable sorrow the family, friends, colleagues and community must feel. This is a reminder of the need for greater attention to mental health as we work on building a more sustainable future for all.
January 5, 2021
