[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 47 (Thursday, April 13, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2713-S2714]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            ANNIVERSARY OF THE COLUMBINE HIGH SCHOOL TRAGEDY

  Mr. CAMPBELL. Mr. President, next Thursday, April 20th, marks an 
important date in the hearts of the families of those killed inside 
Columbine High School, and for those who survived the horrible events 
on that infamous day one year ago. Indeed, this day is important for 
everyone whose lives were touched by those tragic events.
  I can think of no greater burden for a parent than to have to bury 
one of his or her children. That burden is only magnified when a loved 
one is taken with such unimaginable and unspeakable violence.
  A year is not enough time to heal the scars created on that day; not 
for the families of those taken, not for the children who were spared, 
not for the community of Littleton, Colorado, and not for our nation.
  While the events of that fateful day shall always be with us, so too 
is the memory of those slain and the strength of spirit they and their 
families have given to all of us. Like the Columbine flower which 
returns every Spring from under the darkness of winter, so too has a 
sense of community blossomed in Littleton and throughout the State of 
Colorado in response to the horror of that day.
  As a step toward healing, many groups, individuals, and entities from 
both Colorado and our nation have worked to honor those who have died 
and to memorialize their passing in an appropriate and meaningful 
manner.
  In seems especially fitting that today I recognize with honor the 
parents and the families of those killed and wounded in the school that 
day who are working to raise money to replace the library at Columbine 
High School, the scene of much of the violence that occurred last April 
20.

[[Page S2714]]

  They have, to date, received pledges for nearly all of the estimated 
$3 million it will take to replace the library at Columbine High 
School. Other pending pledges could bring them close to the full amount 
they need to replace this scene of horror with one of hope. This is 
just one outstanding example of a community pulling together in a 
grassroots effort to lift itself up free of governmental intervention 
and regulation. I would encourage every American capable of sharing to 
help all of the families whose lives were abruptly and forever changed 
by the events at Columbine in whatever way they can.
  Mr. President, there is good and evil present among us in human 
nature. We never know when we will be faced with either. I pray no 
family has ever to face the sadness and grief visited on the victims 
and the families of those in Columbine High School one year ago today. 
I also pray that peace comes to all of our families through the gentle 
spirit of all the victims taken from us in Columbine High School, and 
those who will live with the pain caused that day. That spirit lives on 
in all of us and has been best described by the students and community 
of Littleton who proudly proclaim: ``We are Columbine.''

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