WASHINGTON — Utah lawmakers are praising the legacy of conservative activist Charlie Kirk after his death earlier this month, vowing to implement his values of faith and family in their political work.
At least three of Utah’s six-member congressional delegation attended Kirk’s memorial service in Glendale, Arizona, on Sunday — an event that attracted tens of thousands of supporters to honor Kirk, who many consider the leader of the youth conservative movement.
Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, was among those who were in attendance. The Utah senator posted online throughout the event as he gathered with friends and other conservative allies to remember Kirk, who was a close friend of Lee’s.
“It was one of the largest memorial services in American history, and a deeply inspiring experience to be there to pay my respects,” Lee told the Deseret News in a statement. “The prayer, song, and tributes to his life and work made clear that his cause of freedom will move forward, united, and the evil of violence and division will end up in the ash heap of history. My prayers continue to be with Charlie’s courageous wife Erika, his young children, and all those who will renew and rebuild in his honor.”
Rep. Mike Kennedy, R-Utah, also attended the service with his wife and daughter, noting he plans to attend more Turning Point events in Utah later this week as Kirk’s college tour continues. Kennedy represents the district where Utah Valley University is located, the site of Kirk’s fatal shooting.
Kennedy said the hourslong event felt like a “religious revival” as prominent Christian artists gathered to lead attendees in worship and speakers focused much of their remarks on Kirk’s faith.
“It’s remarkable to see Charlie Kirk’s not just political impact, but religious impact, and that’s something that was extremely impressive to me: that Jesus was at the very base of everything he tried to do, reflecting that he was more impactful in more ways than I think many people understood,” Kennedy told the Deseret News in an interview.
Kennedy was especially impressed with the effect Kirk had on young people, particularly his message for young men to get married and have children. That advice, Kennedy said with a chuckle, was not lost on him and his wife, who were married in their young 20s and now have eight children.
“A lot of young people have lost hope in politics. They don’t see much reason to engage. Charlie was the opposite of that,” Kennedy said. “There’s a lot of Christian revivalism (in that) people should go to church, and as Erika (Kirk) very clearly stated, young people should get engaged, get married and have children.”
Erika Kirk’s speech honoring her husband and notably forgiving the 22-year-old Utah man who killed him was a highlight of the event — and likely the favorite speech of the day, according to Utah Rep. Celeste Maloy, who was also in attendance.
“To see a grieving widow and a mom of little kids who don’t have a dad now, get up and be so strong and be willing to encourage everybody else and their testimony of the things Charlie Kirk believed in,” Maloy told the Deseret News immediately after the event. “And then she stood there and said that she forgives his murderer, which was powerful. I mean, in the room, it was almost electric.”
Maloy reflected on other speeches and how they focused heavily on faith and religion — a fitting message for a memorial service held on Sunday afternoon, she said.
“It all seemed really appropriate and respectful and worshipful,” Maloy said. “That’s the one thing I would want people to take away, is that you know, the things that are worth living your life for and giving your life for are God, family and country, and that young people are the key to making sure that’s strong in the future.”
Leaving the event, Maloy said it helped to shape how she’ll interact with constituents, especially those who are younger. Maloy, who at 44 years old is the youngest member of the Utah delegation, said it is important now more than ever to ensure that young adults don’t shy away from politics.
“Young people don’t necessarily feel like they have the ability to change the world or be a force for good in the country,” Maloy said. “And I think moving forward, we need to keep engaging them and keep inviting them to be part of the solutions, part of the process.”
That’s especially true for both Maloy, who represents the district in which Kirk’s alleged killer lives, and Kennedy, who has hundreds of young college students in his district who witnessed the shooting firsthand.
Kennedy said his focus has been to ensure unity in the aftermath of the tragedy, noting several mental health counselors who provided services for free to those who were at the event as well as religious leaders who offered prayer and support.
“There are many people who have been harmed by this terrible tragedy in our area, and to reach out and try to help where we can, on an individual as well as a more community basis with these young people” is important, Kennedy said.
