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.
 
 
 

Pass this link on to everyone you know. Mr. Scott has lost more than we could ever understand. Please, pray for him and our legislators so that they too may understand where he is coming from.


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