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For contest details, subscribe to Jean Fain's e-newsletter. Because I wrote a book about self-compassion, I always ask interview subjects what self-compassion's got to do with it? She literally has inspired millions of people to continue the chain reaction she started". Last Saturday, April 20, was the 20th anniversary of the shooting at Columbine High School. Rachel was my middle child. Youve got people that were physically injured, you got people that lost their lives, he said. Recently, one lady came up to me just bawling and dancing. "Gore Says GOP Stalling Gun Control for NRA." Dare to examine your own heart before casting the first stone! David Mikkelson founded the site now known as snopes.com back in 1994. No amount of gun laws can stop someone who spends months planning this type of massacre. Among those who made or presented statements to the subcommittee that day were Eric H. Holder, Jr., a Deputy Attorney General with the Department of Justice; James E. Johnson, an Under Secretary for Enforcement with the Department of the Treasury; Darrell Scott, the father of two victims of the Columbine High School shootings (one of whom, his daughter Rachel Joy Scott, was killed); David Grossmann, a retired Ohio juvenile court judge; Dr. John R. Lott, Jr., a law and economics professor at the University of Chicagos School of Law; Wayne LaPierre, an Executive Vice President of the National Rifle Association; James E. Chambers, an Executive Director of the Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers Institute; David M. Kennedy, a Senior Researcher with the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University; Gerald Flynn, a National Vice President of the International Brotherhood of Police; and Bryl Phillips-Taylor from Virginians Against Handgun Violence. During that discussion, Scott mentioned his concern about the ease in which strangers can gain access to schools but he declined to say whether he thought it was a good idea to give firearms to school personnel. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Freedomis Not Free! And Im gonna keep their names and their lives alive as long as I can.. Darrell Scott father of Rachel Scott killed in Columbine shooting gives congress the truth on God and gun control. Dare to move into the new millennium with a sacred disregard for legislation that violates your God-given right to communicate with Him. A. Denver Post. Here is an amazing story of hope from the horrific massacre at Columbine High School on April 20, 1999, where many innocent lives were lost. . You want to know what is really going on these days, especially in Colorado. 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. Dare to examine your own heart before casting the first stone! 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! Among those who made or presented statements to the subcommittee that day were Eric H. Holder, Jr., a Deputy Attorney General with the Department of Justice; James E. Johnson, an Under Secretary for Enforcement with the Department of the Treasury; Darrell Scott, the father of two victims of the Columbine High School shootings (one of whom, his daughter Rachel Joy Scott, was killed); David Grossmann, a retired Ohio juvenile court judge; Dr. John R. Lott, Jr., a law and economics professor at the University of Chicago's School of Law; Wayne LaPierre, an Executive Vice President of the National Rifle Association; James E. Chambers, an Executive Director of the Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers Institute; David M. Kennedy, a Senior Researcher with the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University; Gerald Flynn, a National Vice President of the International Brotherhood of Police; and Bryl Phillips-Taylor from Virginians Against Handgun Violence. Some people never heal. Im taking his place on the debate team at Columbine, arguing this great issue about gun violence.. And I asked my wife, What size shoes does, did, Daniel wear?, Told they were size 10, Mauser recalled saying, Thats my size., It suddenly occurred to me, wow, I could be wearing his shoes and walking in his shoes, he said. If youve been impacted by our resources, we invite you to make a year-end gift before December 31. The Rachels Challenge presentations are given in schools and communities by members of her family and other speakers, using video footage of the Columbine High School massacre and its aftermath, combined with Rachel Scotts drawings and writings, in a campaign to quell school violence, bullying, and teen suicide. Keep that pizza box out of the green bin. 28 May 1999 (p. A4). The time to study these things in the Bible is now. "[9] Scott told Newsweek, "principals and teachers always need to be on the lookout for that kid who's isolated, or that's quiet, who always stays to himself, because that's typically the type of kid who ends up exploding. It caused me to remember what a similar shooting victims father proclaimed in 1999. [6] He said that from September 2008 to April 2009, his organization received 105emails from teens dissuaded from suicide because of attending a Rachel's Challenge program. Through legislative creed Swanwick placed flowers in remembrance of those who lost their lives that day, but was also there to honor the seventeen people that were shot and killed at Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida February 14, 2018. One of the most inspiring real-life stories is that of Darrell Scott, the founder of Rachel's Challenge. Jean Fain is a Harvard Medical School-affiliated psychotherapist specializing in eating issues, and the author of "The Self-Compassion Diet." Colorados largest compost processor will no longer accept packaging and paper products, Small liquor stores pivot to more food and delivery as Colorado grocers roll out wine sales. 2023 Colorado Public Radio. And now it needs to be heard again by every parent, every teacher, every politician, every sociologist, every psychologist, and every so-called expert! Darrell Scott is the founder of "Rachel's Challenge", a nonprofit organization that has reached over 28 million people in live presentations and trainings. We all contain the seeds of kindness or the seeds of violence. We do not need more restrictive laws. One of those people was Darrell Scott, whose daughter Rachel Joy Scott was the first person killed at Columbine. If you've got your own compassion-enhancing ideas this holiday season, enter to win a copy of "The Self-Compassion Diet." I feel something different with this last tragedy, said Darrell Scott in reference to last weeks shooting in Florida that left 17 dead. We do not need more restrictive laws. I never felt like I wasn't a kind person, but I was more judgmental than I realized. We all consist of body, soul, and spirit. Castaldo, who was also hit and played dead while the killers moved on, was left paralyzed. Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School senior Samuel Zeif, whose best friend was killed during the mass shooting, talks about shooting deaths in Australia as Darrell Scott listens, while participating in a listening session hosted by President Donald Trump at the White House on Feb. 21, 2018. Q. It takes a good days drive to cover Colorado, but well help you do it in a few minutes. Phillips-Taylor from Virginians Against Handgun Violence. I never imagined that we would be where were at right now, where there are so many mass shootings that we cant even keep up its just unfathomable that Columbine wasnt enough.. Now, however, Craig Scott said he has found his calling talking about what happened as part of a Denver-based program called Value-Up. [12] He is also periodically interviewed on various television programs, such as 20/20, Dateline NBC, and the Today show, to discuss the loss of his sister and his difficult recovery from the traumatic ordeal he experienced as an eyewitness to the murderous rampage. by every parent, every teacher, every politician, every sociologist, every psychologist, and every so-called expert! Father of Columbine victim Darrell Scott reflects on the Texas school shooting and offers a message of hope. I hear a different tone from politicians.. What has happened to us as a nation? We do not need more million dollar church buildings built while people with basic needs are being ignored. Spiritual influences were present within our educational systems for most of our nation's history. 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! Kellman, Laurie. One of those was Rachel Joy Scott, mercilessly murdered for her faith in God. Their blood cries out for answers. Darrell Scott, Father Of A Columbine Victim, Calls For Culture Of Connectedness, News That Matters, Delivered To Your Inbox, Capitol 'Lie-In' Staged Ahead Of Defeat Of 3 Bills To Loosen Colorado Gun Laws. Moreover, unlike the other persons who testified before the Congressional subcommittee that day, Mr. Scott presented no facts or statistics relating to the issues of gun control and gun law enforcement; he merely gave his opinion that gun control laws wouldn't have stopped the Columbine High School shootings and that those shootings were somehow related to a lack of religion in schools (repeating along the way the erroneous claim that prayer has been "outlawed" in schools). I wrote a poem just four nights ago that expresses my feelings best. Please share with everyone you can. She said, "Hey dad, someday you're going to see me on Oprah." 28 May 1999. While this did not remove his pain, it did provide solid footing from which he could move forward, trusting God instead of resenting Him. Free Speech is essential to a functioning Republic. Darrell Scott is the father of Rachel Joy Scott, the first of the thirteen victims of the Columbine High School massacre. We know exactly the feeling that these families are gonna feel for the rest of their lives, that hole thats gonna be in their hearts, Bruce Beck, Lauren Townsends stepfather, said. All rights reserved. Five years ago, my husband called me and we had a big fight. We have refused to honor God, and in so doing, we open the doors to hatred and violence. I do not believe that they need to be defended. That God is what we need. Scott also told Trump the problem goes deeper than mental illness, noting that a lot of children who have mental health issues are kind and compassionate. "[12], On April 20, 2009, the tenth anniversary of the Columbine shootings, Darrell Scott told NBC interviewer Natalie Morales on the Today show, "We've seen a lot of lives changed from her story and our program, Rachel's Challenge, has touched literally 13million lives over the last ten years". 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. The young people of our nation hold the key. Where did you find the strength to do that? The Arizona Republic. When suffering and evil come our way, theyll exert a force that either pushes us away from God or pulls us toward Him. 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. 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 subcommittee. Amazing stories about people like Adam, a young man [and special ed student who became suicidal] because he was being bullied at school. Sean Graves, one of the survivors, has said in previous interviews that he knew the shooters but was not close to either of them. I do not even own a gun. Our message is to change the climate and culture of a school, he said, noting the importance of finding the connectedness between people. Rachel Scott was the first student to be killed in the Columbine High School shooting in 1999. And I had to break away.. 00:00. "This is an amazingly strong, loving community, and Columbine, that word Columbine, should mean that. Twenty years later, Dawn Anna still saves a seat for her daughter, Lauren Townsend, when she goes to the movies, knowing full well that she wont show. Spiritual presences were present within our educational systems for most of our nations history. 1995 - 2023 by Snopes Media Group Inc. We don't just talk about kindness and compassion, we talk about understanding other people. Columbine has been the target of threats over the last two decades, the most recent incident involving Sol Pais, 18, who authorities said had exhibited an "infatuation" with the shooting. 27 June 1999 (p. E15). We're not human havings. 13 January 2000 (p. B7). Sweet, Lynn. Much of the blame lies here in this room. The tragedy at Columbine began unfolding at 11:19 a.m. on April 20, 1999, when two troubled students, Dylan Klebold, 17, and Eric Harris, 18, opened fire outside the school, then marched inside, making for the library. Darrell and Sandy Scott, parents of Rachel Scott who was a victim of the Columbine shootings Photograph: James Chance/Rapport Darrell Scott's 17-year-old daughter Rachel was the first victim of . Darrell Scott, the father of Rachel Joy Scott, a victim of the Columbine High School shootings in Littleton, Colorado in April, 1999, was invited to address the House Judiciary Committee's subcommittee on crime holding hearings on "Pending Firearms Legislation and the Administration's Enforcement of Current Gun Laws." Legal Statement. United.". It all began when he appeared before the U.S. House Judiciary Committee in Washington, DC not long after the death. with a story of hope and help that will undoubtedly bring people together, spur personal reflection, and spark positive change. Many Christian media outlets have not survived. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! Privacy Policy|Site Map|ECFA Member The Boston Globe. We do not need more religion. Tonight, when you talked about your son forgiving himself, it gave me the freedom to forgive myself." WASHINGTON The father of a Columbine shooting victim said he left a Wednesday meeting at the White House with hope that national policymakers were ready to do more about school violence a. Much of the blame lies behind the pointing fingers of the accusers themselves. RTD wants to ban riding trains and buses all day. If I believed they had anything to do with Rachels murder I would be their strongest opponent. (William Luther/The San Antonio Express-News via AP), Columbine victims father message: Soften the hearts, school districts nationwide ramp up security. Authorities say Ramos acted alone and was shot and killed by a Border Patrol officer. Its the generous support of our ministry partners that enables us to continue our eternity-shaping work. But starting at her funeral, we began hearing so many stories. The Golden Rule says: treat others the way you want to be treated. He saw his friends Isaiah Shoels and Matthew Kechter get fatally shot. It just makes you feel sometimes hopeless.. What he said to our national leaders during this special session of Congress was painfully truthful. Andy Cross / Denver Post via Getty Images file, Columbine families and survivors reflect on shooting 20 years later, Columbine 20 years later: Families talk life after tragedy (Part 1), Survivor Stories: Craig Scott reflects on the Columbine shooting nearly 20 years later, Columbine 20 years later: Families talk life after tragedy (Part 2). Eric and Dylan would not have been stopped by metal detectors. When bad things happen, it's hard to imagine any good coming of it. [13], At the White House Conference on School Safety held in Washington, DC, on October 10, 2006, Craig Scott addressed the President of the United States, the United States Attorney General, and the Secretary of Education, saying, in part, "Kindness and compassion can be the biggest antidotes to anger and hatred, and I believe the biggest antidotes to violence. After losing a child, it's only natural to feel angry, hateful, depressed a whole hornet's nest of feelings. Untold Stories of Columbine (115) 6.6 47min 2000 7+ Here is an amazing story of hope from the horrific massacre at Columbine High School on April 20, 1999. A. Scott gave life to this non-profit organization after his 17-year-old daughter Rachel went down as the first student killed in one of the deadliest school shootings in U.S. history: Columbine. Much of the blame lies behind the pointing fingers of the accusers themselves. Dare to examine your own heart before casting the first stone! Snopes and the Snopes.com logo are registered service marks of Snopes.com. Box 982000Fort Worth, TX 76182-8000writeEmail("info", "info", "lifetoday.org", ""); 2023 Life Outreach International. Ill physically never heal, but emotionally I think that Im on the right path.. All rights reserved. Like many of us, I vividly remember the shock as the events unfolded. Directors Darrell Scott Starring Darrell Scott Genres Documentary, Special Interest Subtitles English [CC] Audio languages English. They backed off, and she and Adam became friends. The following is a portion of the transcript: Since the dawn of creation there has been both good and evil in the hearts of men and women. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. "I think this year, it's gonna be different because we're spreading the word of both hope and positivity, and love and commitment to give back," he said. They immediately seek to pass more restrictive laws that contribute to erode our personal and private liberties. Every morning I wake up, I recite the names of the 13, because theyll always have a special place in my heart, he said. This was written way before I knew I would be speaking here today: Your laws ignore our deepest needs Many of our major colleges began as theological seminaries. We've seen bullying stopped, incidents where a student came up with hit lists or plans to shoot up his school, and told either the speaker or told the teacher about their plans, but had a change of heart. Clicking on any links for this guest will take you to a third party website. Darrell and Sandy Scott's daughter, Rachel, was killed at Columbine, and they founded a program called Rachel's Challenge in her honor. Tom Mauser also found his voice after his 15-year-old son, Daniel a straight-A student and a member of the school debate team was killed. They may have not been prepared for what he was going to say. I have my own personal opinions but I dont share them publicly because (the issues are) so volatile, he said. The real villain lies within our own hearts. [11], Craig continues to make frequent speaking appearances on behalf of Rachel's Challenge, urging teens to strive for a classroom "atmosphere of kindness and compassion" to stem school violence. Q. "And our whole mission is to soften the hearts of young people because most of these school shootings are done by students themselves.". New programs were developed to prevent bullying and help social outcasts after it emerged that Harris and Klebold, both gifted students, had been picked on for years. Because Darrell had learned to think this way, he could, despite his incredible pain, see through Rachels death to a sovereign, purposeful God. Were you surprised by the extent of Rachel's kindness? She was eating lunch with her friend, Richard Castaldo, on the lawn outside the school when she was killed. I am not here to represent or defend the NRA because I dont believe that they are responsible for my daughters death. How many parents get the opportunity to honor their daughter or son in that way? For the evening event we do with parents, I tell the story about my son Craig, who was in the [high school] library that day and lost two of his friends. Swanwick placed flowers in remembrance of those who lost their lives that day, but was also there to honor the seventeen people that were shot and killed at Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida February 14, 2018. As part of my research for my book If God Is Good, I interviewed and exchanged correspondence with many people who shared their stories and perspectives. Forgiveness is not for them. When it comes to having perspective in this world, there are look-at-ers and there are see-through-ers. It was Norman Grubb who coined those terms, and hes expressing the idea that you can look at something and just evaluate it on the surface, or you can look deeper. We [the family] weren't surprised by her acts of kindness, but we were surprised by how much wisdom came out of her writing. We're human beings. Twenty-four students were injured. They immediately seek to pass more restrictive laws that contribute to erode our personal and private liberties. Another thing I liked and respected so much was that she made it clear what her beliefs were". In my experience, most Christians lack grounding in Gods attributes, including His sovereignty, omnipotence, omniscience, justice, and patience. 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. I never imagined we would be where were at right now, where there are so many mass shootings we cant keep up," the daughter of a slain teacher said. A Columbine High School student is rescued by emergency personnel during the shooting spree at the school in the southwest Denver suburb of Littleton, Colorado on April 20, 1999. Now gunshots fill our classrooms A. Compassion isn't just for others, it's for ourselves. Simpson, Kevin. Darrell is also the founder of Rachels Challenge, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping schools break down the walls that lead to harassment, isolation and violence. The first essay focused on safe storage laws for, Rep. Gephardt and Vice President Gore encouraged the U.S. House of Representatives to do more about the problem of, Following school shootings in Colorado and several copycat attempts at other schools, witnesses testified about ways to, https://images.c-span.org/Files/c38/19990527160424001.jpg, 2023 National Cable Satellite Corporation. Joe Fryer is a nationally recognized reporter who works for NBC News as a correspondent based in Los Angeles. And yet, when the worst human action inspires a surprisingly goodhearted reaction, it brings out the very best human qualities: hope, solidarity, kindness and compassion. Q. One of those people was Darrell Scott, whose daughter Rachel Joy Scott was the first person killed at Columbine. [So I decided] to take a three-month break from my job at a Denver food company to honor Rachel's life. "To me, that would mean a lot more for this anniversary to move forward in a positive vibe than anything else.". 28 May 1999 (p. A6). They were not prepared for what he was to say, nor was it received well. 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. What has happened to us as a nation? Scott was one of a few dozen activists and family members invited to meet with President Donald Trump to discuss school violence in the aftermath of a deadly Feb. 14 attack on a high school in Parkland, Fla. For more than an hour, they shared their stories and opinions on how best to address the problem even debating the idea of arming school teachers. It caused me to remember what a, Scott, a victim of the Columbine High School shootings in Littleton, Colorado in, 1999, was invited to address the House Judiciary Committees subcommittee, Pending Firearms Legislation and the Administrations Enforcement of Current Gun Laws., Among those who made or presented statements to the subcommittee that day were Eric H. Holder, Jr., a Deputy Attorney General with the Department of Justice; James E. Johnson, an Under Secretary for Enforcement with the Department of the Treasury; Darrell Scott, the father of two victims of the Columbine High School shootings (one of whom, his daughter Rachel Joy Scott, was killed); David Grossmann, a retired Ohio juvenile court judge; Dr. John R. Lott, Jr., a law and economics professor at the University of Chicagos School of Law; Wayne LaPierre, an Executive Vice President of the National Rifle Association; James E. Chambers, an Executive Director of the Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers Institute; David M. Kennedy, a Senior Researcher with the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University; Gerald, Flynn, a National Vice President of the International Brotherhood of Police; and.