USA First Lady Dr. Jill Biden and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff

Dear Governor Kathy Hochul,
I am an ambassador for the Drug Epidemic Memorial Walls. I lost my beautiful daughter,
Emily, who is forever 22. She was poisoned by fentanyl, and we remain devastated. We
loved her beyond imagination. Emily was the kindest and most empathetic person I have
ever known.
Emily had her own challenges, and never defined herself by her mistakes, addiction, or
her disability.
Emily was born with Arthrogryposis in her feet and ankles, requiring a lifetime of surgical
procedures on her legs and feet. Ones that left her in pain physically. We were told she
would never walk; and yet, she did that and so much more.
She contributed to her community helping those in Recovery at The Coffee Connection
and in her special needs community by inspiring them to do their best. She became a
cheerleader and ran in track events for the Empire State Games for the Physically
Challenged, with a time of 15:33 for the 1500-meter race. She shaved 3 minutes off her
time of the previous year and was so proud of herself. She did all of this in ankle-foot
orthotics, thick plastic around her foot and up her calf to her knee. SHE defined herself.
While we remember her in so many ways; we want her death to not be in vain. We want
people to know her story and the stories of so many others stolen by fentanyl.
I know you have children and grandchildren. Would you assist us in finding a permanent
location for a Drug Epidemic Memorial Wall within our Capitol? We have created two
memorial walls. One with photos and one with names. I am including Emily’s frame,
below.
These digital walls and albums update automatically. We would also like the photos
displayed in hard copy format. The wall of names can be projected on a wall so parents
can touch their loved one's name. We would like our loved ones to be treated like victims.
They were all victims of Purdue Pharma (an American cartel) and many, many others.
Now, they are victims of Chinese and the Mexican Cartels. We are using the word
“drugism” for the prejudice toward drug users - like racism.
A group of our New York moms would love to meet with you and work together to prevent
this from happening ever again.
Sincerely,
Tamara MacDuff - Emily’s Mom”
Rochester, NY
663