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 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 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 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.
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