Dear Supporters and Interested Parties,

I lost a mentor over the weekend; our cause lost its inspiration personified, Oklahoma lost one of its greatest heroes, and our nation lost a true patriot. Tom Coburn passed away Saturday, March 28, 2020 of prostate cancer.

I emailed Tom on Jan. 11, 2020, after we learned that Jim Inhofe, had agreed to cosponsor the “No Budget, No Pay” act. I didn’t often ask him about his battle with cancer, but I felt I should at that juncture. He replied simply “end stage cancer, please do not share.” It was very typical of his replies: prompt, short, to the point. I knew this was coming but it does not make it easy to bear. It is unfortunate that the coronavirus will make it hard to honor him the way we would like to. I will look for an opportunity to send flowers on behalf of us all.

In writing about him my first thought was to tell you about him in my words but better to remind you of who he was in his words. Attached are some quotes that serve to illustrate who he was. I also reviewed a voice recording I have of him interacting with a reporter at the Oklahoman on October 5, 2017. This was my very first attempt to be of some assistance to try to get the word out on his continuing work for our nation. It is all great, but I wish you could at least listen to the first 2 minutes. By 20 seconds in he gets to the heart of our nation’s problems. By the two-minute mark you would hear a man who is willing to call out anybody who needs it, with truth, passion and conviction. You would hear him speak of sacrificing individually for the good of our nation. You would hear him give a crash course in what it “should” mean in solemn terms to serve in the U.S. Congress. You would hear him attack, head on, the greed Congress displays when they violate their oath by putting their desire to be re-elected over the needs of our country. You would hear him give his motivation “the future of his grandkids.” Our effort is all about doing what’s tough on our present generation in order to protect those who come after us.

May Tom’s family take comfort in knowing God’s servant, Tom Allen Coburn, is in his savior’s company. May Tom’s memory give us inspiration and God give us strength as we carry on as Tom would want. He deserves nothing less than our best effort.

For Our Common Good,

R. Brian Walter

Matthew 20:28

Tom Coburn quotes:

“We need real leadership, Democrat, Republican, and Independent to stand up and say, we have to live within our means.”

“The vast amount of waste and sheer stupidity in government – from the Pentagon to the FDA – could fill agendas for years.”

“We should simply focus on first principles and give the American people

what they want – honesty, common sense, fiscal responsibility and limited government. If we govern to save the country, we’ll do well.”

“The problem that faces our country today: the last 30 years we have lived off the future, and the bill is coming due. There will not be one American that will not be called to sacrifice. Those that have more will be called to sacrifice more.”