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The following is a portion of the transcript.
"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 makeup, we
create a void that allows evil, prejudice, and hatred to rush in and reek
havoc. Spiritual influences 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 doing so, 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!"