[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 16]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 22816]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



               JOHN WILLIAM AND ASHLEY DANIELLE CARPENTER

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GEORGE RADANOVICH

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 12, 2000

  Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to submit into the Record 
the words of the father of John William and Ashley Danielle Carpenter, 
two innocent children murdered in their home in Merced, California. 
These words were composed and read at the funeral of the children.
  Mr. Speaker, I submit this statement to share with my colleagues the 
grief of a father and his plea for a change in the hearts of a humanity 
that can allow such an atrocity. While I can not know the impact on the 
family and friends of the Carpenters, I surely can sympathize with 
their pain and share their grief, with the hope and prayer of 
preventing just one act of violence, one time somewhere in this world.

       Today we stand here grieving the loss of John William and 
     Ashley Danielle Carpenter and somewhere a mother grieves the 
     loss of her son, who has done these hideous crimes. But what 
     saddens me is that the law says we know what took place so 
     it's time to close the book. But I challenge you, as the 
     father of the deceased children that this case is far from 
     over. Because while we sit here mourning the loss of our 
     loved ones, the real killer is still loose. I believe the 
     real killer is the dealer who supplied the drugs to the 
     murderer of my children. I trust and believe that. I sure 
     hope that I can't take this a step further and say it's ``big 
     business'' that did this to my children, with mine and your 
     tax dollars. When I say big business, I mean the White House, 
     excuse my lack of a better word, to the Outhouse. We need to 
     wake and wonder, why are they trying to take our only 
     protection, our handgun, instead of going after the dealers 
     that supply these drugs. It makes me wonder about their 
     motives. There was a gun in my home, but because of the law 
     and what could happen to me, I had it put away in supposedly 
     a safe place. I guess I did, because my 14-year-old daughter 
     and 13-year-old daughter couldn't get to it and neither did 
     the murderer. The only thing I forgot to put a lock on was my 
     pitchfork. How long are we, the people going to believe the 
     lies of the politicians and get back to the root of the 
     problems? We need to change the hearts of men, to start 
     loving their neighbors and the neighbor's children as 
     themselves. What's sad is, it doesn't cost one red cent. In 
     fact it will save us money. My plea to you people today, is 
     put all politics and religions aside and start living life 
     like my little daughter Ashley did, by laying down her life 
     for her sisters. It might cost you your life, but that should 
     be easy to do, you already have an example in my daughter. Do 
     whatever it takes to protect your family and friends. I know 
     the only way she knew to do that was by example, starting 
     with her love for Jesus, she learned at Sunday school. The 
     next example was her mom and dad, who led her and were there 
     for her, instead of chasing their desires. Because with me 
     and my wife, we were raised and taught the same way, I 
     wouldn't trade it for anything, because if I did, I wouldn't 
     be here feeling like the proud father that I am, of all my 
     children. I know without a shadow of doubt where my children 
     are today, and only God knows where the murderer is. Please 
     remember if you don't do as Ashley lived and did in her 
     actions you might never see them again, and it hurts me to 
     know that for you, their little lives might be in vain. I 
     just want to say that for me, John William and Ashley 
     Danielle Carpenter's lives weren't in vain. I will always 
     keep you close to my heart John and Ashley in this life, but 
     I guarantee you, I'll see you in heaven. Love you always and 
     forever. Your Daddy & Buddy.

     

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