One year ago today, this is what was unfolding as we followed the horrifying news here at Raising Kaine. Today, our thoughts are with the families and friends of the victims, as well as the entire Virginia Tech community. Gov. Kaine's statement below eloquently expresses our feelings on this solemn day of remembrance.
STATEMENT OF GOVERNOR KAINE
~ On the anniversary of the Virginia Tech Shootings ~RICHMOND- Governor Timothy M. Kaine today issued the following statement regarding the anniversary of the Virginia Tech tragedy:
"On April 16, 2007, Virginia Tech University suffered a terrible tragedy. Today, my thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families and the entire Virginia Tech community.
"In the year that has passed since that horrible day, we have grieved for those we lost and prayed for the comfort of their loved ones. We have rejoiced in the recovery of those who were injured. We have been inspired by the unfaltering hope and Hokie spirit of Virginia Tech. And we have renewed our commitment to do even more to learn lessons from that day and to make our campuses and communities safer.
"As I think about the victims' families, I am at a loss for words to express what is in my heart. The courage and strength they have shown in the face of such tremendous, tragic loss is awe-inspiring. We have been inspired by the resilient Hokie spirit of Virginia Tech, both in Blacksburg and around the world. Since that tragic day last April, the unshakeable sense of unity and hope demonstrated by the Hokies has touched the lives of people around the world. Their focus on pulling together to support their school and each other in the days after the shooting, and their commitment to public service through the VT Engage program in the months that followed has moved us all.
"We still have work to do. A continued commitment to improvement is the best tribute we can pay to those who lost so much. And as we move forward, we will continue to be inspired by those in the Hokie Nation."
UPDATE: Sen. Webb's statement is on the "flip."
STATEMENT OF SENATOR JIM WEBB ON
ANNIVERSARY OF VIRGINIA TECH TRAGEDYWashington, DC - Senator Jim Webb issued the following statement on the first anniversary of the tragic shootings at Virginia Tech:
"A year ago today, a great tragedy shook the campus of Virginia Tech. I want to take a moment to commend the strength of the parents, spouses, family members and friends of those 32 students and faculty who were taken from us at that time. I would also like to express my continuing admiration for the Blacksburg community and the students of Virginia Tech, who have shown grace, humanity and resilience in the wake of such tragedy.
"This terrible tragedy underscores the need to ensure early access to counseling programs and the treatment of mental illness. It also calls attention to the need to review and correct federal guidelines so that school officials, administrators and law enforcement can work in tandem to effectively ensure the safety of our students while upholding their privacy.
"I have introduced legislation with Senator Warner to that effect, and it is my hope that it will soon pass the Congress.
"I join Governor Kaine in calling for a moment of silence at noon to honor the memory of those lost and the many lives they touched."
NOTE: To download audio of Senator Webb's statement, please go to: http://demradio.senate.gov/act...
Statement on One Year Anniversary of Virginia Tech ShootingsWashington, D.C., April 16th - Congressman Jim Moran, Virginia Democrat, issued the following statement regarding the one year anniversary of the tragic events at Virginia Tech.
"On the one year anniversary of the worst shooting massacre in U.S. history, our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims, their families, and the entire Virginia Tech community as they continue to cope with the aftermath of that tragic day.
"The Hokie Nation has been resilient in the face of unspeakable terror. Their courage has been an inspiration to all Americans.
"Following the tragedy, important improvements to our nation's background check system have been enacted. This is a positive development.
"Still, proactive steps to prevent gun violence remain. We need new laws to keep weapons out of the hands of criminals by requiring background checks at gun shows, cracking down on straw purchases and reining in the sale of firearms and gun accessories designed for no other purpose than to inflict the most possible damage in the shortest amount of time.
"We cannot afford to ignore the implications of failing to pass these commonsense gun safety measures. We owe it to the victims at Virginia Tech and all who have suffered either directly or indirectly from gun violence."
One year later, it's also time to reflect on how violence -- whether on campuses like Virginia Tech and Northern Illinois University or on the streets of Chicago and cities across this nation -- can be prevented. Clearly, our state and federal governments have to strengthen some laws and do a better job enforcing others. But we all have a responsibility to do what we can in our own lives and communities to end this kind of senseless violence.
One year ago today the entire world was shocked to see the awful, senseless tragedy unfold on the close knit campus of Virginia Tech. Our thoughts and prayers remain with the families and friends whose lives forever changed on the morning of April 16th. On that day all of us became members of the Hokie Nation, admiring the many heroes like Professor Liviu Librescu, a Holocaust survivor who sacrificed his life so that his students could escape out his classroom windows.The extraordinary courage, unity and loyalty that the students of Virginia Tech showed in the days and months that followed was truly remarkable and showed the genuinely good character of the university. The goodness of America also shined; school children to the New York Yankees' owner George Steinbrenner showed an outpouring of support and generosity for the faculty, staff and students of Virginia Tech.
With every unfortunate tragedy comes lessons. Improvements have been made to laws and emergency procedures. More improvements in security will be deployed at Virginia Tech and on the campus of every college in America.
Let us forever remember the people whose promising, positive lives were cut short by this terrible murderous rampage. Let us also resolve to improve campus security in ways that allow educational experiences to flourish in our land of freedom and opportunity for all.