To: Kenneth R. Moss who wrote (16121 ) 6/25/1999 11:44:00 AM From: Kenneth R. Moss Read Replies (1) | Respond to of 25548
To the Thread:***********************OFF TOPIC ********************* This is quite long, but so important. I picked this up off the web. I am not a member of the NRA. I don't own a gun. I have two lovely daughters (and two sons) and 14 Grandchildren. I can't imagine what I would do or say if this happened to me, but this is what one Father felt !!! Regards, Ken ******************************************************************* > >>>>TESTIMONY OF DARRELL SCOTT FATHER OF TWO VICTIMS OF COLUMBINE > >>>>HIGH SCHOOL SHOOTING LITTLETON, 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 of 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 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 > >>>>Abel 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 daughters 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 four nights ago that express my feelings best. > >>>>This was written way before I knew l 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. > >>>> Add yet you fail to understand. > >>>> That God is what we need! > >>>> > >>>>Men and women are three part beings. We all consist of body, soul, > >>>>and spirit. When we refuse to acknowledge a third part of our > >>>>makeup, we create a void that allows evil, prejudice, and hatred > >>>>to rush in and wreak 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 is 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 an humble acknowledgment 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 millennium 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 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. > >>>> > >>