Local Group Offers Comfort To Lawmaker's Family Over Loss Of Son

WASHINGTON, DC — Members of the Washington, D.C., area Pandemic Comforters recently visited the home of U.S. Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD) and his wife, Sarah Bloom Raskin, to offer their condolences and support following the death of the couple's 25-year-old son on New Year's Eve.

Thomas Bloom Raskin was a second-year student at Harvard Law School and a graduate of Amherst College. His funeral took place Jan. 5, the day before his father was trapped with other members of Congress when rioting supporters of President Donald Trump occupied the U.S. Capitol and delayed certification of the 2020 election results.

Jamie Raskin represents Maryland's 8th Congressional District, which covers parts of Carroll, Frederick and Montgomery counties. An expert in constitutional law, he is one of the authors of the articles of impeachment House members are to vote on this week. He also serves on the congressional coronavirus task force.

Pandemic Comforters was formed to encourage political leaders to help end the coronavirus pandemic and protect democracy.

Prayers of hope were delivered, and Bernadette and Winston Charles as well as local soloists Hardy Bennett and David Griffiths sang renditions of songs of love and courage. Pastor Darryl Burton of the Silver Spring Converted Heart CME Church gave a sermon.

Rocky Twyman, founder of the Pandemic Comforters, said that Thomas Raskin would not be forgotten. Since his passion was helping the poor, the group is planning a food giveaway in his honor in the near future.

The event concluded with the Comforters and bystanders singing "This Little Light of Mine." In order to help the Raskin family with their grief, members left a copy of "The Ministry of Healing" by Ellen White.

This article originally appeared on the Washington DC Patch