[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 53 (Thursday, April 22, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4293-S4294]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   FIVE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF COLUMBINE

  Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, this week marks the 5-year anniversary of 
the tragic shooting of 12 students and one teacher at Columbine High 
School in Littleton, CO. The very mention of Columbine High School 
strikes a nerve with the American public. It reminds us of that 
horrendous scene of terrified children running from their assailants as 
SWAT teams descended on their school.
  Earlier this week, students, parents and residents of Littleton 
gathered at Columbine High School to remember those who died and renew 
their commitment to address school violence. The anniversary brought 
back painful memories. Michael Shoels, the father of student Isaiah 
Shoels, who was killed in the shooting, told the Associated Press, 
``It's most definitely something I think about every day but, you know, 
we can't wallow in victimhood. Under the circumstances, we need to get 
out there and do something about it.''
  In response to this massacre, many schools have implemented security

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measures such as posting in-school police officers, installing security 
cameras and metal detectors, and developing emergency response 
programs. But a recent report from the National School Safety and 
Security Services, a firm specializing in school security and school 
safety for K-12 schools, found an increase in school-related violent 
deaths in the 2003-2004 school year. According to the report, there 
have been 43 violent deaths nationwide this school year, more than the 
previous 2 years combined and more than any school year prior to 
Columbine. In addition, there have been more than 60 non-fatal 
shootings this year and more than 160 other incidents of high-profile 
violence, such as stabbings and riots. This is simply not acceptable.
  Despite continued school violence, the President has not led on this 
issue and Congress has also failed to enact sensible gun safety laws 
that could help to turn the tide. In fact, President Bush's budget 
proposes eliminating funding for the COPS school resource officer 
program. We have yet to close the gun show loophole, despite bipartisan 
support in the Senate. And, while the President has said he supports 
reauthorizing the assault weapons ban and a bipartisan majority in the 
Senate is on the record supporting reauthorization there are no plans 
to consider this important legislation before it expires on September 
13 of this year.
  America's schools need our help and these are simple, commonsense 
steps we can take to improve school safety. I urge my colleagues to 
close the gun show loophole, keep the ban on assault weapons, and 
restore funding for COPS school resource officers. As the end of 
another school year approaches, the push to enact sensible gun safety 
legislation must continue.

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