Offered without comment... >>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.