Thank you for posting this.  The news on TV only showed the parents and
groups who were blaming the NRA.  Interesting...

Teresa, Daughter of Mama (57/43/38)

-----Original Message-----
From: Parkinson's Information Exchange
[mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of ERVIN J MCCARTHY
Sent: Thursday, June 17, 1999 10:24 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Fw: A father speaks....


NON PD --worth reading

>
> [log in to unmask]
> >
> Sent: Thursday, June 17, 1999 1:27 PM
> Subject: A father speaks....
>
>
> >                             TESTIMONY
> >                                     OF
> >                         DARRELL SCOTT
> >                    FATHER OF TWO VICTIMS
> >                                      OF
> >       COLUMBINE HIGH SCHOOL SHOOTINGS
> >                   LITTLETION, COLORADO
> >
> >                               *********
> > BEFORE THE  SUBCOMMITTEE ON CRIME
> > HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE
> > UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
> > THURSDAY, MAY 27, 1999
> > 2:00 P.M.
> > 2141 RAYBURN HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING
> >
> >
> > Since the dawn of creation there has been both good and evil
> > in the heart of men and women.  We all contain the seeds of
> > kindness or the seeds of violence.
> >
> > The death of my wonderful daughter, Rachel Joy Scott, and the
> > deaths of that heroic teacher and the other 11 children who died
> > must not be in vain.  Their blood cries out for answers.
> >
> > The first recorded act of violence was when Cain slew his
> > brother Able out in the field.  The villain was not the club
> > he used.  Neither was it the NCA, the National Club
> > Association.  The true killer was Cain, and the reason for
> > the murder could only be found in Cain's heart.
> >
> > In the days that followed the Columbine tragedy, I was
> > amazed at how quickly fingers began to be pointed at
> > groups such as the NRA.
> >
> > I am not a member of the NRA.  I am not a hunter.  I do
> > not even own a gun.  I am not here to represent or defend
> > the NRA-because I don't believe that they are responsible
> > for my daughter's death.  Therefore I do not believe that
> > they need to be defended.  If I believed they had anything
> > to do with Rachel's murder I would be their strongest
> > opponent.
> >
> > I am here today to declare that Columbine was not just a
> > tragedy - it was a spiritual event that should be forcing us
> > to look at where the real blame lies!
> >
> > Much of that blame lies here in this room.  Much of that
> > blame lies behind the pointing fingers of the accusers
> > themselves.
> >
> > I wrote a poem just 4 nights ago that express my feelings
> > best.  This was written way before I knew I would be
> > speaking here today.
> >
> >          Your laws ignore our deepest needs
> >                Your words are empty air
> >           You've stripped away our heritage
> >             You've outlawed simple prayer
> >
> >            Now gunshots fill our classrooms
> >               And precious children die
> >            you seek for answers everywhere
> >              And ask the question "Why"?
> >
> >             You regulate restrictive laws
> >               Through legislative creed
> >            And yet you fail to understand
> >               That God is what we need!
> >
> >
> > Men and women are 3 part beings.  We all consist of
> > body, soul, and spirit.  When we refuse to acknowledge
> > a third part of our make-up, we create a void that allows
> > evil, prejudice, and hatred to rush in and wreck havoc.
> > Spiritual influences were present within our educational
> > systems for most of our nation's history.  Many of our
> > major colleges began as theological seminaries.  This is
> > a historic fact.
> >
> > What has happened to us as a nation?  We have refused
> > to honor God, and in doing so, we open the doors to hatred
> > and violence.
> >
> > And when something as terrible as Columbine's tragedy
> > occurs-politicians immediately look for a scapegoat such
> > as the NRA.  They immediately seek to pass more restrictive
> > laws that  continue to erode away our personal and private
> > liberties.
> >
> > We do not need more restrictive laws.  Eric and Dylan would
> > not have been stopped by metal detectors.  No amount of
> > gun laws can stop someone who spends months planning
> > this type of massacre.
> >
> > The real villain lies within our own hearts.  Political posturing
> > and restrictive legislation are not the answers.
> >
> > The young people of our nation hold the key.  There is a
> > spiritual awakening taking place that will not be squelched!
> >
> > We do not need more religion.  We do not need more gaudy
> > television evangelists spewing out verbal religious garbage.
> > We do not need more million dollar church buildings built while
> > people with basic needs are being ignored.
> >
> > We do need a change of heart and a humble acknowledgement
> > that this nation was founded on the principle of simple trust in God!
> >
> > As my son Craig lay under that table in the school library and saw
> > his two friends murdered before his very eyes-He did not hesitate to
> > pray in school.  I defy any law or politician to deny him that right!
> >
> > I challenge every young person in America and around the world to
> > realize that on April 20, 1999 at Columbine High School-prayer was
> > brought back to our schools.  Do not let the many prayers offered
> > by those students be in vain.
> >
> > Dare to move into the new millenium with a sacred disregard for
> > legislation that violates your conscience and denies your God-given
> > right to communicate with Him.
> >
> > To those of you who would point your finger at the NRA-I give to you
> > a sincere challenge.  Dare to examine your own heart before you cast
> > the first stone!  My daughter's death will not be in vain.   The young
> > people of this country will not allow that to happen.
>