Darrell Scott Testimony 

Guess our national leaders didn't expect this, hmm? On Thursday, 
Darrell Scott, the father of Rachel Scott, a victim of the Columbine 
High 
School shootings in Littleton, Colorado, was invited to address the 
House 
Judiciary Committee's sub-committee. What he said to our national 
leaders 
during this special session of Congress was painfully truthful. They 
were 
not 
prepared for what he was to say, nor was it received well. It needs to 
be 
heard by every parent, every teacher, every politician, every 
sociologist, 
every psychologist, and every so-called expert! These courageous words 
spoken by Darrell Scott are powerful, penetrating, and deeply personal. 
There 
is no doubt that God sent this man as a voice crying in the wilderness. 
The following is a portion of the transcript: 

"Since the dawn of creation there has been both good & evil in the 
hearts 
of 
men and women. We all contain the seeds of kindness or the seeds of 
violence. The death of my wonderful daughter, Rachel Joy Scott, and 
the deaths of that heroic teacher, and the other eleven children who 
died must not be in vain. Their blood cries out for answers. 
"The first recorded act of violence was when Cain slew his brother 
Abel out in the field. The villain was not the club he used. Neither 
was 
it 
the NCA, the National Club Association. The true killer was Cain, and 
the 
reason for the murder could only be found in Cain's heart. 
"In the days that followed the Columbine tragedy, I was amazed at 
how quickly fingers began to be pointed at groups such as the NRA. I am 
not a member of the NRA. I am not a hunter. I do not even own a gun. I 
am 
not here to represent or defend the NRA - because I don't believe that 
they 
are responsible for my daughter's death. Therefore I do not believe 
that 
they 
need to be defended. If I believed they had anything to do with 
Rachel's 
murder I would be their strongest opponent. "I am here today to declare 
that 
Columbine was not just a tragedy-it was a spiritual event that should 
be 
forcing us to look at where the real blame lies! Much of the blame lies 
here 
in this room. Much of the blame lies behind the pointing fingers of the 
accusers themselves. "I wrote a poem just four nights ago that 
expresses 
my 
feelings best. This was written way before I knew I would be speaking 
here 
today: 

Your laws ignore our deepest needs, 
Your words are empty air. 
You've stripped away our heritage, 
You've outlawed simple prayer. 
Now gunshots fill our classrooms, 
And precious children die. 
You seek for answers everywhere, 
And ask the question "Why?" 
You regulate restrictive laws, 
Through legislative creed. 
And yet you fail to understand, 
That God is what we need! 

"Men and women are three-part beings. We all consist of body, soul, 
and spirit. When we refuse to acknowledge a third part of our make-up, 
we create a void that allows evil, prejudice, and hatred to rush in and 
reek 
havoc. 

Spiritual presences were present within our educational systems for 
most 
of 
our nation's history. Many of our major colleges began as theological 
seminaries. This is a historical fact. What has happened to us as a 
nation? 

We have refused to honor God, and in so doing, we open the doors to 
hatred 
and violence. And when something as terrible as Columbine's tragedy 
occurs - politicians immediately look for a scapegoat such as the NRA. 
They 
immediately seek to pass more restrictive laws that contribute to 
erode away our personal and private liberties. We do not need more 
restrictive 
laws. "Eric and Dylan would not have been stopped by metal detectors. 
No 
amount of gun laws can stop someone who spends months planning this 
type 
of 
massacre. 

The real villain lies within our own hearts. Political posturing and 
restrictive legislation are not the answers. The young people of our 
nation 
hold the key. There is a spiritual awakening taking place that will not 
be 
squelched! We do not need more religion. We do not need more gaudy 
television evangelists spewing out verbal religious garbage. We do 
not need more million dollar church buildings built while people with 
basic needs are being ignored. We do need a change of heart and a 
humble 
acknowledgment that this nation was founded on the principle of 
simple trust in God! 

"As my son Craig lay under that table in the school library and saw 
his two friends murdered before his very eyes-He did not hesitate to 
pray 
in 
school. I defy any law or politician to deny him that right! I 
challenge 
every young person in America, and around the world, to realize that on 
April 
20, 1999, at Columbine High School prayer was brought back to our 
schools. 
Do 
not let the many prayers offered by those students be in vain. Dare to 
move 
into the new millennium with a sacred disregard for legislation that 
violates 
your God-given right to communicate with Him. To those of you who would 
point your finger at the NRA - I give to you a sincere challenge. Dare 
to 
examine your own heart before casting the first stone! My daughter's 
death 
will not be in vain! The young people of this country will not allow 
that 
to 
happen!" 

Do what the media did not - - let the nation hear this man's 
speech. Please send this out to everyone you can!!!