Tina Smith: “5 years ago, the State of Oregon witnessed one of the greatest tragedies in its 150 year history--a senseless school…”

“5 years ago, the State of Oregon witnessed one of the greatest tragedies in its 150 year history--a senseless school shooting at Thurston High School in Springfield. The shock waves from that awful event still reverberate in our State and in our schools. But as so often happens in the face of great evil, good people stand together in grief to create hope for a better future. In the case of the Thurston shooting, that beacon of hope is the Ribbon of Promise campaign. Five years after the shooting, the campaign is continuing its work to prevent school violence. Because of the impact the campaign has made and the lives it has saved, I rise today to recognize this program and its volunteers as a Health Care Hero for Oregon. The Ribbon of Promise National Campaign to Prevent School Violence was founded on May 22, 1998, the day after the Thurston shooting. Thurston was one of several school attacks occurring across the Nation, from Pearl, MS, to Jonesboro, AR. While still in the throes of grief, the Springfield community decided enough was enough and began the work of preventing future attacks.”