Wayne Allard: “my wife Joan and I were horrified at the violence and bloodshed at Virginia Tech on Monday. I was already preparing to…”

“my wife Joan and I were horrified at the violence and bloodshed at Virginia Tech on Monday. I was already preparing to come to the floor today to speak on another tragedy. Today marks the eighth anniversary of the Columbine murders. Next Thursday, it will be 7 months since the shooting at Platte Canyon High School in Bailey, CO. April has become a month of awful memories, a month of terrible reminders of the presence of evil and the ability of lost souls to stray far into the darkness. I stood on this floor in April 1999 to express my shock and dismay at what had happened in Littleton. I offered my condolences to all those who lost loved ones, and to those whose loved ones have been wounded, hurt, and terrified. Today I remember them again, but I also must add sympathy and support for those at Virginia Tech. Words cannot adequately convey the deep sense of loss all of us are feeling over this tragedy. But words--these words, and the words of our prayers--are what we have to offer. Yet again, America is in shock. There are far too many of my colleagues who have had this experience--who have watched as news of school violence spread across our country. This week's tragedy was in Virginia, but it is obviously of nationwide concern. Thirty-two lives, most of them young and from the best and brightest in our society, ended Monday by savage violence.”