Cord Byrd: “With the new school year now in full swing, our youngsters are brimming with the excitement of making new friends…”

“With the new school year now in full swing, our youngsters are brimming with the excitement of making new friends, radiating enthusiasm for new studies, and preparing for the challenges that lie ahead of them. Students are tackling new reading assignments and committing algebraic formulas to memory. During recess hour, they are frolicking in the school playground with new classmates and old friends, enjoying the waning days of shirt-sleeve weather. They feel safe and secure--free from threatening situations and out of harm's way. But as our children leave home each morning for the school day, we as parents, grandparents, educators, and legislators, must regretfully remember that, just a few months ago, some of our nation's schools looked more like virtual war zones with bloodshed and the tragic loss of life. From Paducah, KY, to Springfield, OR, the notion of schools as a safe haven was shattered by the sound of gunfire, and we must now begin to face the formidable challenge of rebuilding that serene and tranquil school environment that each and every student deserves. Today, responding to my concerns about this trend, I am unveiling a new branch of my web site which contains the most up-to-date and accurate information available from authoritative sources on school safety.”