[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 38 (Wednesday, March 21, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E412]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 SCHOOL SHOOTINGS PLAGUING OUR SOCIETY

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                             HON. DAVE CAMP

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 21, 2001

  Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, I rise to discuss a tragic and horrible 
situation plaguing our society, the incidences of school shootings. I 
would like to call the attention of my colleagues to the following 
article by Mr. John Telfer, which appeared in the Midland Daily News on 
Sunday, March 11, 2001. He offers great and truthful insight into the 
appalling social problem of school shootings. He correctly writes that 
the answer is not more unnecessary gun laws, but rather we must find a 
solution that addresses the moral breakdown in our society. He truly 
writes about ``The Heart of the Matter.''

                        The Heart of the Matter

                            (By John Telfer)

       President Bush, in the aftermath of the latest school 
     shooting, did not make a new call for gun control when 
     commenting on the tragedy. Instead, he focused on the heart 
     of the matter. ``All adults in society can teach children 
     right from wrong, can explain that life is precious,'' he 
     said.
       The media seemed almost disappointed. The last line of an 
     Associated Press story read: President Clinton used a rash of 
     school shootings during his term to call for stiffer gun 
     control laws. Bush did not mention the issue.
       Thank goodness. It is time for America to stop trying to 
     use Band-Aid fixes to solve problems of the heart. Instead of 
     seeking more gun control, we should be asking why some of our 
     children think it is OK to kill people they dislike.
       Let that sink in a moment. Some of our children think it is 
     OK to shoot a person who has hurt them. That's a gun control 
     issue? We need to face the facts as a nation that these kids 
     no longer believe the commandment ``thou shall not kill'' 
     applies to them. They have come up with their own definition 
     of reality and it has nothing to do with what most people 
     would deem morally correct.
       A radio commentator the other day said we shouldn't be 
     surprised by the violent actions of some young people. Every 
     day they live in a world that encourages them to come up with 
     their own definitions of right and wrong, from sexual 
     promiscuity to illegal drug, alcohol and tobacco use to 
     underage viewing of violent R-rated movies and more.
       We encourage young people to come up with their own 
     solutions to problems in school and life, often telling them 
     there is no wrong answer. We don't want to place limits on 
     their answers--that might stifle creativity. We expose them 
     to images, concepts and viewpoints that require maturity to 
     understand. We expect them to make good choices.
       But in giving them all this freedom to choose, some kids 
     are having a hard time figuring out where the boundary line 
     is between acceptable and unacceptable behavior. The fact is 
     our children need boundaries. They need rules. They need to 
     know there are many incorrect solutions to the problems they 
     are encountering. They need to be taught what is right and 
     what is wrong and they need it pounded in their heads over 
     and over and over again until you are so sick of doing it you 
     are ready to throw in the towel as a parent. And then they 
     need it again.
       It's time for America to quit asking ``why'' these 
     shootings keep happening. We know that answer. These kids 
     have sick hearts. And they don't know the morally correct way 
     to deal with the problems they are facing.
       Our kids need to be taught right from wrong. They need to 
     have boundaries they cannot cross without facing 
     consequences. They need to know some values and beliefs are 
     not negotiable. And they need all of these things while being 
     taught under a forgiving umbrella of love. Then, and only 
     then, will America be attacking the heart of the problem.

     

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