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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
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.
I'm glad I didn't have to say this. Though i couldn't have done it better.
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
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.
I'm glad I didn't have to say this. Though i couldn't have done it better.