Representative Abe Hamadeh (R-AZ) praised President Donald Trump's awarding of the Presidential Medal of Freedom to conservative activist Charlie Kirk posthumously.
President Trump presented the medal to Kirk's widow, Erika, on what would have been Kirk's 32nd birthday.
"Thank you, Mr. President, for honoring my husband in such a profound and meaningful way, and thank you for making this event a priority amid the peace process in the Middle East," Mrs. Kirk expressed.
Charlie Kirk, who founded Turning Point USA, was killed by a gunman, Tyler Robinson, during a campus event at Utah Valley University in September in front of multiple witnesses.
The shooting saw a massive groundswell of solidarity with Kirk among conservatives, and his memorial service saw thousands in attendance.
"Charlie was a fierce advocate for our shared conservative principles and articulated them with a moral clarity that is both remarkable and far too rare," Rep. Hamadeh commented in a recent statement. "Charlie's principles and practices were the epitome of those for which the Medal of Freedom is awarded."
In late September, Rep. Hamadeh joined Representative August Pfluger (R-TX) to introduce a bill authorizing the minting of 400,000 silver dollar coins bearing Kirk's likeness, with the reverse reading, "Well done, good and faithful servant."
"Since 1892, Congress has authorized commemorative coins to celebrate and honor historic American patriots," the Arizona Congressman told Fox News Digital. "[Kirk] tirelessly sacrificed his time, energy, and money to save this nation for future generations. Ultimately, at the hands of a radical leftist, he sacrificed his life. His life must be commemorated, and this coin will allow us to pass a reminder of his remarkable life on to generations to come."
As Hamadeh noted, if the coins are made, Kirk will be the youngest person featured on a memorial coin, and will be produced at no taxpayers' expense.
