[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 66 (Thursday, April 20, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E340-E341]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         REMEMBERING COLUMBINE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JASON CROW

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 20, 2023

  Mr. CROW. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the victims of the 
horrific mass shooting that occurred at Columbine High School in 
Littleton, Colorado 24 years ago. It has been 24 years since 12 
teenagers and one teacher went to school and never made it home.
  It's been 24 years since Daniel Rohrbough's mom gave him a hug and 
kiss goodbye before he walked out of their home one last time.
  It's been 24 years since Dave Sanders placed the lives of over 100 
students above his own before he was murdered.
  It's been 24 years since Steven Curnow's greatest concern was when he 
could finally see Star Wars: the Phantom Menace.
  It's been 24 years since John Tomlin held the hand of his classmate 
to comfort her as they hid under a table in the library.
  It's been 24 years since Daniel Mauser was shot and killed two weeks 
after he expressed concern to his dad about America's gun laws. Daniel 
asked his dad about the loopholes in the Brady Bill that allow 
individuals to obtain guns online or at gun shows. Daniel's life was 
taken by a gun purchased through one of those loopholes.
  I ask: What has changed since Columbine?
  The gun show loophole remains open to this day. Gun violence in this 
country is the worst it's ever been. Our children fear going to school 
every single day, and Republicans in Congress refuse to take the 
necessary steps to protect them.
  Americans have had enough. I've had enough.
  A quote etched into the side of the Columbine Memorial reads: ``It 
brought the nation to its knees but now that we've gotten back up how 
have things changed; what have we learned?
  We can and must do more to protect our children and our communities 
from gun violence. We must ban assault weapons and ensure these weapons 
of war are inaccessible to the general public.

[[Page E341]]

  As Members of Congress, we have a responsibility to act and to ensure 
that a tragedy like the one that occurred at Columbine never happens 
again.

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