WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Representative Larry Bucshon, M.D. (R-IN-08) released the statement below regarding his decision to retire at the conclusion of the 118th Congress.
“Scripture teaches us, “For everything there is a season,” and it became clear to me over the Christmas holiday with much discernment and prayer that the time has come to bring my season in public service to a conclusion. Therefore, I will not seek reelection to an eighth term and conclude my service in the House of Representatives at the end of the 118th Congress.
As the son of an underground coal miner and a nurse who grew up in a small town in rural America, it’s been the privilege of a lifetime to have been afforded the opportunity to represent Hoosiers in Southern and West Central Indiana as their elected representative in the U.S. Congress. I thank my constituents for affording me this opportunity and for placing their trust in me these past 14 years. I’ve also benefited from outstanding staff over the years that have provided excellent service to Hoosiers and to the American people.
However, the biggest thank you must be reserved for my wife, Kathryn, and our children. Without Kathryn’s indulgence, support, and willingness to accept drastic changes to our family life over the past 14 years, I would not have been able to serve in Congress. I also want to thank my children Luke, Alec, Blair, and Zoe. When I first ran for Congress, all four children were living at home – with our youngest just 6 years old – and today they are all grown and pursuing their own lives. As young children they all had to accept significant changes to our family life to accommodate my service in Congress. Finally, I want to thank my in-laws, Robert and JoAnne Reinhardt, who have lived next door to us in Evansville for many years and provided significant support to Kathryn and the children as we balanced our family life in Indiana with the Congressional schedule in Washington, DC.
For over 230 years, men and women have chosen to serve our nation in the Congress – in many cases through very trying times in our history – and I’m honored to be included among their ranks. Recent disputes in Congress and difficulties advancing policy on behalf of the American people have not soured my faith in our Constitutional Republic form of government. In fact, it has strengthened that faith. Throughout the history of the United States, one of our strengths has always been the ability of our elected leaders – and the American people – to debate the issues in a public forum, and then ultimately find common ground and compromise on solutions that benefit the American people. It is still true today and this principle always prevails.
God Bless!”
Congressman Larry Bucshon, M.D. represents Indiana’s 8th Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives and is a senior member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee.
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