Leaders Call for Prayer for Littleton -- 04/21/1999

Leaders Call for Prayer for Littleton

21 April, 1999

By Justin Torres
CNS Senior Staff Writer

(CNS) – Reaction to school shootings in Littleton, Colo., from official quarters has been swift–asking the nation to pray for the shocked community and the families of the victims.

Gov. William Owen of Colorado said that as the parent "of three school age children" he shared "everyone's disbelief and shock that such a tragedy could occur in" Colorado, adding, "At times like this we all ask God how such terrible suffering and pain can occur. As we each search for answers, let us renew our effort to heal a culture that allows such needless violence."

Denver Mayor Wellington Webb asked the metro Denver area, which he said is "known for [its] generosity during difficult times," to "come together and offer each other support and prayers as we mourn the senseless deaths of those killed in this horrific shooting."

National Educational Association (NEA) president Bob Chase said in a release that the shootings demanded "a renewed commitment to every child." Said Chase, "The NEA calls for an immediate ratcheting up of efforts to implement a comprehensive planning process that involves parents, schools, and law enforcement agencies to identify ways of ensuring the safety of our children in our communities and in our schools."

Jim Nicholson, chairman of the Republican National Committee (RNC), remarked, "Doubtless, there will be those who will try to politicize these tragic events, who will exploit our emotions in furtherance of simplistic political solutions." Nicholson said that America was not yet able "to formulate the questions about yesterday's tragedy, much less learn the answers."

The Family Research Council called on parents to become more involved with their children's activities, and asked the news and entertainment media to "stop producing films and music videos that rely on or glorify sexual deviancy, violence, and suicide."

"At Littleton yesterday, America got a glimpse of the last stop on that train to hell she boarded decades ago when we declared that God is dead, and that each of us is his or her own god who can make up the rules as we go along," said Patrick Buchanan, Republican presidential candidate. Buchanan called the shooting "a tragic reflection of the dark side of American society."

On the floor of the House of Representatives, Speaker J. Dennis Hastert said that America "must stop the culture of death that makes vicious killers out of too many of our children."

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