It was with great sadness that we learned on Saturday of the passing of COS Senior Advisor and former Senator Tom Coburn. Dr. Coburn, as he preferred to be called if one insisted on using a title, was 72 years-old, and had been fighting a decades-long battle with cancer.
Dr. Coburn visited New Jersey nearly two years ago, as a guest speaker for one of Rich Zeoli's Speaker Series events, held at the Broadway Theater of Pitman in May of 2018. This was the first big event for COS New Jersey, and having just taken over as State Director, I was quite a bit nervous. However, Dr. Coburn's kindness and grace immediately put me at ease and his dedication to our country inspired me to work harder, and to plan bigger events for the COS New Jersey team.
Other members of the New Jersey team were also impacted by Dr. Coburn that evening. District Captains Jim Collinsworth and Susan Beckett-Jones were first called to COS after hearing Dr. Coburn speak that night in Pitman. Many other volunteers would join the team after attending future events featuring Mark Meckler and Pete Hegseth. Without Dr. Coburn's successful visit to New Jersey, those other speaking engagements may never have happened.
In addition, many COS New Jersey volunteers interacted with Dr. Coburn at the COS Leadership Summit in Williamsburg, and again, his words motivated and inspired each of them.
Our movement would not have been nearly as successful without Dr. Coburn's commitment to the cause. He tirelessly advocated for Convention of States, and the impact he had on our teams nationwide is both incalculable and invaluable. We simply would not be where we are today, or on the path to success, without him.
This past December, my wife, Sarah, and I welcomed our first child into this world. Thanks to Dr. Coburn's dedication to the Convention of States Project, the future of this country, her country, is brighter than it has been in a long time.
It is because of his sacrifice that I can envision a day when I will teach Erin about how Convention of States helped to save America from financial ruin, and that it was men like Tom Coburn who blazed the trail for the rest of us volunteers to follow, always reminding us to be kind, and to love one another.
On behalf of a grateful COS New Jersey team, I would like to send a final thank you to the legendary man, Dr. Tom Coburn. We will forever remember this good and faithful servant, and are blessed to have worked side-by-side with him in the fight for our liberty.
Below are testimonials from members of the COS New Jersey team:
"Dr. Coburn first introduced me to COS two years ago during a speaker series event at the Pitman Theatre. Little did I know that his book would inspire me to join COS on Trenton Day and volunteer. I had the great pleasure to meet him and share a breakfast table at the Summit in Williamsburg. I heard he was sick but you would not have known it. He was a fine gentleman and a great Patriot who will be missed." - Jim Collinsworth, Jr. (District Captain)
"Praying for Dr. Coburn's entire family, including COS and the USA. So grateful he wrote his book "...Smashing the DC Monopoly," among his numerous other good works, and that COS brought him to SJ to enlighten and embolden us. He was such a gracious healer and hero and will continue to be a great spiritual leader, too." - Susan Beckett-Jones (Events Coordinator; District Captain)
"In 2018, when Senator Coburn was the featured speaker at the Broadway Theatre of Pitman...he was in pain and struggled to walk, but he soldiered on there too, throughout the whole event, including being gracious offstage with everyone that wanted his attention and to talk with him. Senator Coburn was a gift to all - a great statesman, patriot, friend, and servant leader. He inspired and was loved and admired by countless numbers." - Gary Brenner (Media Liaison; District Captain)
"What a great loss to our country. A true American hero." - Tara Fleming (District Captain)
"Such a beautiful man who loved the foundations of Liberty and Freedom and COS. What a privilege to meet Tom Coburn at the COS Summit!" - Francesca Nordin (Grassroots Leader)
"Many prayers for his family and so glad to have another angel watching down on us." - Maria Borges (Volunteer)
"What an amazing life." - Donald MacLeay (State Videographer)
