McCollum Manages House Resolution Honoring the Victims of Red Lake Tragedy
McCollum Manages House Resolution Honoring the Victims of Red Lake Tragedy
Wednesday, April 20, 2005
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Betty McCollum (MN-04) managed a resolution (H.Con.Res. 126) that expresses the condolences and deepest sympathies of the Congress in the aftermath of the recent school shooting at Red Lake High School in Red Lake, Minnesota. The resolution was introduced by Representative Collin Peterson (MN-07) and is co-sponsored by the entire Minnesota delegation. It passed unanimously in the House of Representatives.
McCollum's statement follows:
"Mr. Speaker, I want to express my deepest condolences to the Red Lake Nation of northern Minnesota for their profound tragedy.
On March 21st, a disturbed young man took the lives of nine people on the Red Lake Reservation and then took his own life. This violent act devastated the Red Lake community and once again tragically demonstrated to all of America how violence by children against other children and educators can happen anywhere, at anytime.
This tragedy, along with the 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 young people in this country. Too many youth are in crisis and are unable to find the help they need either from their families or their communities.
As policy makers, we have a responsibility to invest the resources and more importantly, the attention to the lives of our young people and their families - before a tragedy occurs.
All Americans and Minnesotans extend our prayers, condolences and support for the families of the Red Lake Nation as they heal and rebuild their community.
I want to close by saying that this resolution deserves our full support. The Minnesota delegation stands with the Red Lake Band of Chippewa. They have our deepest condolences at this time of enormous grief. Our prayers are with you."
http://mccollum.house.gov/index.asp?Type=B_PR&SEC={B187649B-3F55-4792-9AE8-A28ACAF4305E}&DE={FC65364C-DBD6-42F8-BC62-99E6B258522C}