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

Dear First Partner Siebel Newsom,
From one mom to another, I am writing you asking for your help setting up a
permanent memorial in our state’s capital. The memorial we have set up in the DEA
museum in Arlington, has run out of room because of all our children who have
been lost to fentanyl poisoning the last few years. Unfortunately, there are many
moms that cannot get their angels plaques up because the numbers are growing.
We would like each state to set up a memorial for those lost in their states.
I lost my daughter, Cassandra, to fentanyl poisoning April 16, 2022. I am still
grieving and not a day has gone by that I don’t miss her and cry for her. My
daughter's plaque is in Arlington, and even though I haven’t been able to visit it, I do
find some comfort in knowing she is being remembered, and that her life mattered. I
would love for all moms to have that peace.
Cassie was also a mom of 4 teenagers when she passed and I want her to always
be recognized for their sake. They miss her deeply and they need to see that her
death was not in vain. They need to understand the dangers of fentanyl and the
impact it is having on our country. Cassie did not want to die; she did not want to
leave her family but sadly she took something that was laced with a small amount of
fentanyl. Cassie was my baby girl and struggled with alcoholism for several years.
Through those years she remained positive about life and always thought at some
point she could beat it. She tried so hard but one thing she never gave up on was
helping others and bring joy in people’s lives. She was too trusting and always saw
the best in everyone. She would light up any room she walked in with her smile and
kindness and if someone was alone or out of place, she would make them her
friend. She reached out to the lonely and I wanted to bring joy in their life. Cassie
did this even though inside she dealt with a lot of emotional pain. At 14 she was
drugged and raped and with love and therapy we got her through it. Unfortunately,
she married a man who was abusive in many ways and divorced with 4 children
ages 3 and under. This is when the drinking started and that led to more abusive
relationships until God took her home. It had been such a struggle watching my
baby girl go through all she went through and not being able to help.
There are so many things that need to be addressed with our drug epidemic but
none of that will bring her back. My hope is to keep her memory alive and do what I
can to help our country.
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