Expressing Condolences of Congress in Aftermath of Recent School Shooting in Red Lake, MN
EXPRESSING CONDOLENCES OF CONGRESS IN AFTERMATH OF RECENT SCHOOL SHOOTING IN RED LAKE, MINNESOTA -- (House of Representatives - April 20, 2005)
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Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Con. Res. 126, and I want to thank my colleague from Minnesota for bringing this resolution to the floor. Our hearts have been with the Red Lake Band of Chippewa over the past month, and I want to express my deepest sympathies to the families and friends who lost loved ones on March 21. I also wish a speedy recovery to those who still remain in the hospital.
I would like our opening statement to come from the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Peterson). He represents the Red Lake in Congress and has introduced this resolution.
Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Peterson).
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Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I might consume.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to use the words of the Red Lake Band of the Chippewa, and I quote from a document that they shared with us today: "The Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians is experiencing the worst crisis in our history. Throughout this ordeal, our law enforcement officers, teachers, students, medical personnel, our people have acted with great courage and honor. Our people are strong, our children are strong, and our hope is strong.
"Our greatest hope is that you, our President, Senators, and Representatives and Department officials, will be our partners as we undertake the task of making these essential improvements towards a better way of life for the people of Red Lake."
Mr. Speaker, 1 month ago a disturbed young man took the lives of nine people on the Red Lake Reservation, and then he took his own. This violent act devastated the Red Lake community, and once again tragically demonstrates to all of America how violence can happen by our children, against our children and educators, and it can happen anywhere at any time.
This tragedy, along with other school shootings that have occurred over the past several years leave no question that we still have much work to do in addressing the needs of our youth in this country. Too many of our children are in crisis, unable to find the help that they need from either families or communities.
As policymakers, we have a responsibility to invest the resources, and more importantly, the attention into the lives of our young people and in their families' lives as well before tragedy occurs.
All Americans and Minnesotans extend our prayers, our condolences, and support for the families of the Red Lake Nation as they heal and rebuild their community.
I would like to close with just once again saying that this resolution deserves our support. The Red Lake Band of Chippewa have our deepest condolences at this time of enormous grief. Our prayers are with you.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
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