LITTLETON — On a day of more school bloodshed, President Clinton consoled grief-stricken families in the town where a murder-suicide rampage by two teenagers a month ago left 15 dead and shocked the nation. "What happened to you has pierced the soul of America," the president said.

"Something profound has happened to your country because of this," the president told Columbine High School students, parents, faculty and community members. He said that when Columbine seniors graduate in two days, "America will be cheering you on."

Nearly 2,000 people packed Dakota Ridge High School gymnasium to hear the president. The audience cheered, whistled and applauded at word that two wounded youths had left their hospital beds to be at the speech — Sean Graves and Patrick Ireland, who was pulled from a second story window by police the day of the shootings.

Clinton said Littleton's suffering and bravery have touched the country.

"You can help us to build a better future for all of our children, a future where hatred and distrust no longer distort the mind or harden the heart, a future where what we have in common is far more important than what divides us, a future where parents and children are more involved in each other's lives," Clinton said.

The president and his wife Hillary spent nearly two hours at Light of the World Catholic Church, going from table to table to shake hands with the families of those killed. A month ago, counselors had worked at the church with survivors of the shootings.

Michael Shoels, whose 18-year-old son, Isaiah, was killed, said Clinton put his arm around him. "He gave us his true condolences, and I really do believe him," Shoels said. "It went great." He said he gave Clinton a letter suggesting what should be done next.

In remarks later at the high school, Mrs. Clinton said she was impressed by the community's strength and "your refusal to let violence and hatred win."

Clinton said the latest shooting, in Conyers, Ga., in which six students were injured Thursday morning, before he left Washington, was "deeply troubling to me as it is to all Americans."

"This incident again should underscore how profoundly important it is that all Americans come together in the face of these events to protect all of our children from violence," the president said at the White House.

Jane Hammond, superintendent of Jefferson County Schools, said that Littleton has "been a symbol of the worst nightmare that you could imagine with the loss and injuries of our students and staff member.

"We will also be a symbol to the nation of strength, of dedication, of commitment and resilience as we pull together as a community with Columbine at our core," she said.

To a community still searching for answers, the president said in his remarks here, "These dark forces that take over people and make them murder are the extreme manifestation of fear and rage with which every human being has to do combat."

Outside the Dakota Ridge gymnasium before Clinton spoke, a handful of Columbine students talked of breaking into tears when they heard the news of gunfire at the Georgia school.

It was exactly one month ago that Dylan Klebold and Eric Harris terrorized Columbine, killing 12 classmates and a teacher before shooting themselves dead.

Student body president Heather Dinkel tugged at her dress, took a deep breath and hugged her mother as they waited for the Clintons to arrive.

"I don't want to talk about it," she said when asked about the presidential visit. "It's been so overwhelming the last few days."

Her twin brother Mike, also a Columbine senior, said the Clintons could "make some people here see that their problems are something that even big people like the president are going to help with."

The Columbine High School shootings April 20 also had an effect on the nation's debate on gun control, softening Republican opposition in Congress to tougher measures.

The latest step came Thursday as the Senate, after angry calls from constituents, approved a Democratic plan to require background checks for firearms buyers at gun shows and pawnshops. Vice President Al Gore cast the deciding vote; Clinton called him from Air Force One with congratulations.

Seizing on the Columbine shootings, Clinton has begun a national campaign against school violence, urging more gun control and less violence in movies, music and video games.

May 21, 1999 | Print this page