Mitch Landrieu: “I am happy to note the overwhelming vote that just occurred to try, in some small way, to express the feeling of this…”

“I am happy to note the overwhelming vote that just occurred to try, in some small way, to express the feeling of this body about the recent tragedy in Littleton, CO. It is a first step of perhaps many that will be taken to properly address this tragedy. The massacre that occurred makes us all want to jump to action, because we are action-oriented individuals and an action-oriented body. That is why we are here--to do things. I think the tendency in a situation like this is to want to jump out and do things so we can prevent another tragedy in the future. The problem is, with that approach, this situation has actually raised more questions than it has provided answers. I will share with Members some of the leading news articles this week. ``Why?'' Newsweek asks. ``Why?'' U.S. News & World Report asks. Again, a very important question that should be answered. Time Magazine asked, What can schools do? Where were the parents? These are all very, very important questions that should be answered. It is important at this time in the Senate and in the House and within the leadership of this country to perhaps do a little bit more listening than talking, so we can help find answers as to why this tragedy happened in order to attempt to prevent it from happening in the future.”