On Thursday, May 27, 1999, Darrell Scott, the father of Rachel Scott, a
victim of the Columbine High School shootings in Littleton, Colorado, was
invited to address the House Judiciary Committee's subcommittee.
A portion of the transcript:
"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 eleven 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 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 the blame lies
here
in this room. Much of the blame lies behind the pointing fingers of the
accusers themselves.
"I wrote a poem just four nights ago that expresses 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 three-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 historical 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 contribute 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 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 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 casting the first stone!
"My daughters death will not be in vain. "