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FOIA Number: 2012-0268-F
FOIA
MARKER
This is not a textual record. This is used as an
administrative marker by the William J. Clinton
Presidential Library Staff.
Collection/Record Group:
Clinton Presidential Records
Subgroup/Office of Origin:
Cabinet Affairs
Series/Staff Member:
Kris Balderston
Subseries:
OA/ID Number:
23921
FolderID:
Folder Title:
Littleton, Colorado [2]
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S
24
4
11
3
-
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
4/27
Mickey Ibarra
BRuce Reed
Barry TOIV
Fred DUVAL
A Copy Ato the COLORADO Gov's
Exec ORDER naming Red
liaisans.
Micrey has are we subjuced
To Formally name waisons ?
(1 noticed that they included
DOL too. why?)
KRIS
04/27/99 TUE 10:22 FAX 202 4015783
CHIEF OF STAFF
002
inu US. 12 MI QUEERMOR I OFFICE
rnn NO. 0000000000
STATE OF COLORADO
EXECUTIVE CHAMBERS
136 State Cankol
Denver, Colorade 80201-1792
RD
BOX
Phone (30)) 565-2471
The
B 006 99
BUI -
Covernor
EXECUTIVE ORDER
Governor's Task Force on Vistims' Support
for the Columbine High School Tragedy
Pursuant to the authority vested in the Office of the Governor of the State of
Colorado, I, Bill Oivens, Governor of the State of Colorado, hereby issue this Exceutive
Order creating the Governor's Task Force on Victims' Support for the Columbine High
School Tragedy (" the Task Force").
1.
Backeround & Need.
Yesterday's violent rampage at Columbine High School in Jefferson County will
stand as one of the darkest in Colorado history. AL this time of statewide grief and
mourning. the thoughts and prayers of all Coloradans go out to the victims of that
tragedy. Providing effective assistance for chose victims - including Columbine
students, teachers. and administrators, as well as their friends and families - must
continue to be a Statewide priority.
In the short term, it is imperative that the victims of the Columbine High School
tragedy receive the immediate counseling, financial assistance and other support chey
need to help cape with the tragedy. Looking forward, State Government must make
every effort to he P secure long-term victims services and compensation from both
public and private sources. Securing such assistance and compensation demands
effective coordination within Colorado State Government; between State officials and
their counterparts at the federal and local level; and between Government and the
private and non-profit sectors.
By signing this Executive Order. I am creating the Governor's Task Force on
Victims' Support The role of this Task Force is to ensure that Government. private
companies and institutions, and non-profit organizations work together effectively and
expeditiously to ocure assistance and compensation to the victims of the Columbine
High School tragerly.
2.
Mission and Scone
The mission of the Task Force in:
A
To strengthen coordination among the principal departments of State
government in assessing the needs of victims of the Columbine High
School tragedy.
B.
To coordinate efforts between State officials and their counterparts from
federal, county and local government to assess viodins' needs, and to
secure appropriate assistance and compensation for those victims from
public and private resources.
I
04/27/99 TUE 10:23 FAX 202 4015783
CHIEF OF STAFF
003
HPK-22-1999 INV 08:13 MII GUIERNUM I OFFICE
ГЛА NO. 3000000035
C,
To undertake such other responsibilities and duties as the Governor may
from time to time determine.
3.
Membership
Initial members of the Task Force shall include:
The Executive Directors of the Colorado Departments of Public Safety, Public Health
and Environment and Local Affairs,
A member of the Governor's Senior Staff.
The Attorney General of Colorado.
The District Auorney for the 1" Judicial District
The Jefferson County Sheriff.
The Superintendent of the Jefferson County R-1 School Board
The Chairman of the Jelferson County Board of County Commissioners.
A representative from each of the following Federal departments: Justice, Health
and Human Se vices, Labor, Education and Housing and Urban Development
Not more than ave members of private or non-proft companies or organizations.
The Governor shall appoint are member of the Task Force to serve as Chairman.
All Task Force members shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the
Governor. The Task Force membership may be revised at any time as determined by
the Governor.
4.
Duration
The Task Force shall sunset on April 20. 2002 unless otherwise extended or
terminated by the Governor.
day of April, 1999.
GIVEN under my hand and the Executive BillOwen Bcal of the State of Colorado the 21st
CREWN
Bill Owens
Governor
a
2
Higgins
4
26
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
FEMA
HHS
Treas
Educ
Hiley
at event
12.30
Treasury - investigate continues
Riley - To Sunt ( Modlewsk- the OR supt counselor
- OK city
- LA united sch
- interned + long term steps
- they job. have donn a transanders
chunch on Sunday
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
April 20, 1999
As of: 11:58 AM
MEMORANDUM FOR DISTRIBUTION
FROM:
THURGOOD MARSHALL, JR.
TM
KRIS M. BALDERSTON
SUBJECT: Agency Efforts on behalf of Littleton, Colorado School Shootings
INCIDENT UPDATE
According to Sheriff Steve Davis, there are fifteen (15) confirmed fatalities; two of which
include the suspects. Of the fifteen, eleven (11) are male and four (4) are female. One of the
victims is reported to be an adult. In addition, thirty (30) explosive devices were found in the
school, one suspect's vehicle in the school parking lot, and in the suspects' residence.
Investigators will enter the school this morning and early afternoon to conduct a search and to
take photos. After the photos and first search is complete, local officials will commence a major
investigation involving agents from several jurisdictions. Sheriff Davis also reported that he will
update the press every hour on the half hour. His last statement was at 10:30a.m.
AGENCY EFFORTS
The Department of Education
Secretary Riley called the Jefferson County School Superintendent this morning to offer any
assistance to the community. Specifically, the Secretary outlined joint efforts between the
Department of Education, Justice, and HHS to provided crisis counselors and any other
assistance that is needed. Additionally, Secretary Riley and the Department of Education
(DOEd) provided local officials with contact names and numbers for those officials seeking
federal assistance. The DOEd has made the following contacts:
- William Molonoy, Chief State School Officer, Colorado: Judith Johnson called Mr. Molonoy
and offered assistance; DOEd will follow-up this afternoon.
- Susan Goren, President, National Association of School Psychologists: Susan offered help of
NASP in providing assistance to the school system.
- Jenelle Kruger, Safe and Drug Free Schools Program Coordinator, Colorado: State Education
Agency: Assistance of SDFS Program was offered.
- Marleen Wong, Director of Mental Health, Los Angeles Public Schools: Marleen has been
instrumental in helping various communities that have experienced crisis similar to Colorado.
Marleen offered her help in this effort.
- Kathyrn Thurman, Director, Office for Victims of Crime, Department of Justice. OVC and
SDFS have joint agreement with National Office for Victims of Crime to form crisis response
teams and send those teams where they are needed. Kathyrn has been working with community
victim advocates and feels that the community is very well prepared to deal with this crisis.
Throughout this afternoon, DOEd is in contact with the Superintendent of Jefferson County
schools and find out what assistance is needed. DOEd can offer the following:
Identification of persons who can provide crisis counseling assistance and
payment to get those persons to Colorado.
Identification of persons who have experienced similar tragedies to provide "hands on"
help in days immediately following incident. We can pay for travel and per diem of these
persons.
Identification of persons who can help the school district plan a long-term recovery effort
which DOEd is currently working on in Springfield, Oregon. DOEd will pay the costs of
getting people to Colorado.
Identification of Security Experts. Often after such a shooting a school district wants to
do a thorough review of its school safety plans, policies, etc. DOEd can help identify a
person(s) to conduct such a review and will pay costs of getting person to Colorado.
The Department of Treasury
According to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF), 13 ATF investigators are on
the scene in addition to two (2) canine handlers and two (2) explosive enforcement officers.
ATF was asked by the County Sheriff to assist in clearing the scene of explosive devices and was
concluded at 1:30am Denver time. Seven (7) destructive devices were found in the trunk of one
suspect's vehicle and 12 small devices were found inside the school. ATF's crime scene
mapping system has also been requested by the County Sheriff. ATF will also be involved in
tracing firearms described as two (2) sawed-off shotguns, one handgun and one carbine. In
addition, ATF will help canvass explosive licenses in an effort to determine who purchased
explosives related to this incident. ATF will send a peer support team, including two chaplains,
to provide services to the victims, witnesses and investigators.
The Department of Justice
Along with the ATF, FBI agents are on the ground providing technical assistance to local law
enforcement officials. They are not active in the investigation as it is considered a local effort at
this point. Additionally, these agents may provide added security to the local hospitals and
funerals if requested and needed.
This
local
IS
s
investigal
The Federal Emergency Management Agency
The FEMA State Director is contacting the local officials to assess needs in dealing with the
ongoing community relations initiatives. FEMA officials involved in the Jonesboro incident
have been put in contact with the county sheriff in Littleton. These FEMA personnel will
provide guidance and expertise to those in Littleton. Two (2) FEMA Public Affairs officials will
travel to Colorado to work with state and county officials.
The Department of Health and Human Services
HHS' Center for Mental Health Services has contacted the Colorado State Mental Health
Director to offer assistance with crisis counseling if requested. In addition, the Surgeon General
stands ready to provide assistance.
NOTE:
Secretary's Herman, Richardson and Glickman will be speaking to the Conference of
Black Mayors tomorrow in Denver, Colorado.
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
DOS Rack
FEMA
HHS
Ed
Treas
OND
Dod
Counselars burnery out
Cerda
Aladged $750,000 in suppan
Victims Assis program
- no federal counsellons
DOED. - do school does not want ANI-
outside the state.
- but WILL 1 use $ for
In-house counsellurs.
Educ
Educ + DOJ
school " connected
- May close Columbur HS til end
of the year
- working w spring 3 security ,OR title
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
linking OR +
their 100,000 " so EW Guida
the
Treas
help local shorts mursh count
HHS
MTU mains up broaderst
3.30 after sch
D. not need counselors
(being overwhelmend w requests)
4.30
PM
D8 WEDNESDAY, APRIL 21, 1999
S
High School Wednesday
TRACK SOCCER LACROSSE
ANS
BY JOEL MCHARDSON-THE WASHINGTON POST
Aaron Beck, left, Busayo Ojumu, Brandon Alexander and John Diamond won the 4x800 relay at Saturday's Allen Johnson Invitational In area-best 7:53:36.
Four Strong Legs Make Sturdy Relay Team
T.C. Williams Boys
for the Titans, finished in 1:58
105th Annual Penn Relays
on Saturday. His other team re-
Set Sights on 4x800
quired less running, but almost
Where: Franklin Field on the University of Pennsylvania campus.
as much sweating-he was a
At Penn Relays
member of the school's "It's Aca-
When: Thursday through Saturday.
demic" television quiz show
By BRYAN TUCKER
Who: The prestiglous meet includes runners from at least 850 high schools-a new
team.
Special to The Washington Post
meet record-22 states, as well as the District, and 9 foreign countries.
Ojumu "does not cheat himself
Big Names: Olympic gold medalists Michael Johnson and Allen Johnson will highlight
in workouts, and he is getting
As 800-meter runners go, the
the men's competition, while Marion Jones, who was ranked No. 1 In the 100, 200 and
stronger every month," Sardo
four that make up T.C. Wil-
long jump by Track and Field News in 1998, highlights the women's entries.
said. "He realizes he has not run
liams's boys 4x800 relay team
the perfect 800 yet."
are not intimidating.
Alexander, who also ran the
Together, however, they
Titans' rowing team.
and may face the most pressure,
anchor leg during indoor season,
could be one of the top high
school relay teams in the nation.
Running with Diamond for the
since a slow first leg can pre-
is the speediest Titan on the
Most elite high school 4x800
first 'time in Saturday's Allen
clude team success before three
4x800 team. He ran his leg in
teams have one runner capable
Johnson Invitational at Lake
runners have even touched the
1:56 on Saturday, but his high-
of finishing his leg in 1 minute 53
Braddock, the Titans rolled over
baton.
light this winter was tracking
seconds. T.C. Williams doesn't
a 14-team field in the event. T.C.
"I usually go out there and go
down Oakton All-Met senior An-
have a runner quite that fast-
Williams finished in an area-best
to my limit and [farther] if possi-
drew Macleod in the last 55
senior Brandon Alexander is the
time of 7:53.36, 17 seconds bet-
ble," Beck said. "If I give up the
meters to win the Northern Re-
fastest, with a best split of 1:55,
ter than second-place Wood-
last 200 meters, I have given up
gion 4x800 title.
according to Titans boys dis-
bridge (8:10.84) and 13 seconds
on my team.
It is kind of
Alexander "is the guy who
tance coach Rich Sardo.
faster than the second-best area
crucial [to have] a good start."
likes to go with fortitude,"
The Titans-Alexander, class-
time of the season (Ballou,
Beck hands off to Diamond,
Hughes said. "I think [in outdoor
mates Aaron Beck and Jonathan
8:06.62).
who wrestled for T.C. Williams
season], that will be an asset for
Diamond, and junior Busayo
No one has come farther in his
while his 4x800 teammates were
us. At the Penn Relays, to have
Ojumu-make up for it with bal-
running career than Beck, who
running indoor track over the
that tenacity will be good."
ance. They all are fast, and they
transferred from Dixie High
winter.
The Titans' 4x800 relay team
will be one of the top seeds at the
School in Due West, S.C., in the
Diamond, who placed second
finished 14th last year at the
105th Penn Relays, which start
summer of 1996. He has im-
at 140 pounds in the Virginia
proved his time in the 800 from
Penn Relays, but the hopes are
Thursday at Franklin Field in
AAA Northern Region champi-
Philadelphia.
2:28 as a sophomore to running
onships and will wrestle at
much higher this season.
"Not every runner on the team
the first leg Saturday at Lake
George Mason next year, cut his
The top 12 teams from Fri-
is a great runner, but not all
Braddock in a personal-best
800 time from 2:04 last year to a
day's heats advance to the 4x800
teams have four strong runners,"
1:56.9.
personal-best 2:00.5 on Satur-
Championship of America final,
Alexander said. "When we put it
Beck "has done phenomenal
day.
scheduled for 3 p.m. Saturday.
together, we usually have an
work since he started in track,"
"I don't think we were very
"The fact is everybody shows
advantage on other teams."
T.C. Williams Coach Mike
shocked" about the performance
up on race day," Alexander said.
T.C. Williams won the boys
Hughes said. "He got smarter in
at the Allen Johnson Invitation-
"There's a lot of teamwork, and
4x800 relay against national
what he was doing and took care
al, Diamond said. The team
everyone can hold his own. My
competition at the Nike Indoor
of himself and grew up in the
"knew I was as fast as [Snyder],
teammates can rise to the occa-
Classic in March. But this spring
sport. He never ceases to amaze
and outdoor track is a lot faster
sion.
We are going up there
Diamond has replaced junior
me."
than indoor."
and trying to win it, and have fun
Brant Snyder, who is on the
Beck is the track team captain
Ojumu, who runs the third leg
doing it."
Sean P. O'Shea
04/21/99 02:47:09 PM
Record Type:
Record
To:
See the distribution list at the bottom of this message
CC:
Kris M Balderston/WHO/EOP@EOP, Thurgood Marshall Jr/WHO/EOP@EOP
Subject: FW: Secretary Riley's Statement regarding the Columbine High Sch ool shooting
I am told Secretary Riley's Office put this out this afternoon at 1:30pm. FYI
Secretary Riley's Statement regarding the Columbine High
- LITTLETO.2.doc
Message Sent To:
Jennifer M. Palmieri/WHO/EOP@EOP
Barry J. Toiv/WHO/EOP@EOP
Erica S. Lepping/WHO/EOP@EOP
Heather M. Riley/WHO/EOP@EOP
Bruce N. Reed/OPD/EOP@EOP
For Release: April 21, 1999
Contact: Julie Green (202) 401-3026
STATEMENT BY U.S. SECRETARY OF EDUCATION RICHARD W. RILEY
regarding the Columbine High School shooting
Like all Americans I extend my prayers to the many, many families in Littleton, Colorado, who
are suffering today. As the father of four children and the grandfather of 10 children, my heart
goes out to each and every one of these students and families and to the teachers, faculty and
staff at Columbine High School.
This tragedy represents a new scale and level of school violence that we have never seen before.
And it says something about the easy ability of young people to get access to guns and the
glorification of violence we sometimes see in America. If this type of tragedy doesn't bring
about a public outcry, I don't know what will.
My message to every gun owner in America is very direct -- lock up your guns today. Think
hard about what has just happened and please don't assume anything. Time and again, young
people, who have caused these types of tragedies in our schools, have been able to get access to
guns. America needs to realize that kids and unsupervised gun use do not mix.
My message to parents is to reach out to your children and listen to them. We have to do
everything we can to connect even to the most angry and alienated young person. Young people
who are cut-off and isolated can be, as we have seen, deeply disconnected.
I urge parents to slow down their lives. As a society we must make much more of an effort to
help families and make sure that there is some responsible adult in the life of every young
person.
We have been in contact with Colorado school officials and stand ready to assist them in any
way possible.
We should not look for one easy answer to this type of tragedy. Every level of society -- from
local community groups, to schools, to faith communities, state officials and national leaders --
can contribute to supporting families as they seek to raise their children safely.
At the President's request, the Departments of Education and Justice have sought to support local
efforts in several ways. Working together we developed an "Early Warning Guide" on how to
prevent such incidents of violence and distributed copies to every school in the country, started a
new $300 million comprehensive school violence prevention initiative, and have a proposal
pending in Congress to establish "Project SERV" -- a $12 million effort to help school districts
that have to confront these types of tragedies.
###
09:17
FAX
002
456-2525
Leadership Talking Points for Colorado Tragedy
Newser
Type
Polinai
Cerda
Lather
3:00-5564
Three Key Messages
1) The vast majority of schools are safe. [Only 10% public
schools report any serious violent crime.]
2) The Department of Justice and our federal partners are
prepared to provide assistance to the victims, the
families and the entire community of Littleton,
Colorado, when and where requested;
3) We know what things work to help prevent this kind of
violence, but in order to succeed in our efforts we need
to engage communities, state and local governments;
business and the faith community.
Talking Points
Together with the Nation, I mourn with the family and
friends of those who were SO senselessly killed and injured
yesterday in Colorado. But, we do the victims no honor if
we allow our grief to overwhelm our resolve to prevent
future tragedies.
WED
09:17
FAX
003
In the wake of last year's tragic multiple shootings, this
Administration redoubled its efforts to stop school violence
before it starts. But yesterday's shootings are a reminder
that redoubled efforts are not necessarily enough. The
shootings are a new call to action. We must mourn, and
then we must do even more to solve this problem.
First, a look at what we have already done. Last year, we
convened two meetings with nationally-recognized experts
on youth violence. Uniformly, these experts told us that
there is much we know about how to prevent similar
incidents from arising and that there is much we can do.
They told us that, while we must punish and hold youthful
offenders accountable, we must do everything we can to
prevent similar tragedies from happening, as well.
Punishment. It is essential to have strong laws to
punish and hold youthful offenders suitably
accountable for these horrendous crimes. But that
alone won't bring back the dead; it won't heal the
wounded or make families whole again.
Identification of Warning Signs/Early Intervention.
We know the warning signs and risk factors that
signal potentially violent youth. We know that early
intervention with these young people has a
tremendous impact. We must train parents, school
personnel and community members to identify those
warning signs and we must provide resources for
WED
09:17
FAX
004
early intervention, professional and otherwise.
To this end, in August 1998, the Departments of
Justice and Education issued guidelines to help
school principals and teachers recognize and
respond to youth who have displayed warning signs
of violent behavior. We have distributed hundreds
of thousands of copies of the "Early Warning
Timely Response" report.
Non-violent Ways to Deal with Aggression and
Resolve Conflicts. Conflict resolution curricula and
peer mediation programs are proving to be effective in
decreasing youth violence. In a cultural environment
where exposure to violent confrontations has become
matter-of-fact, we must give young people the skills to
resolve their interpersonal conflicts peacefully. As the
President has said, we must teach our children to solve
their conflicts through words, not violence.
To spread the word across the country, in October
1998, the Departments of Justice and Education
released the first Annual Report on School Safety,
including information on model conflict resolution
and other school crime reduction programs.
In addition, the COPS Officer at the Department
of Justice is pursuing promising problem-solving
partnerships between schools and law enforcement.
We know that when schools work together with
WED
09:18
FAX
005
local law enforcement to tackle local school safety
issues, they enjoy remarkable success.
Guns. The undeniable link among all of these recent
incidents is the presence of guns in the hands of
unsupervised youth. In 1994, 81% of juvenile
homicide offenders killed with a firearm -- with
approximately 3/4 of these firearms being handguns.
We can and must do more to limit unauthorized access
by young people to guns.
We should raise penalties for juveniles who possess
handguns, and for adults who illegally transfer
handguns to juveniles. We should extend the
Brady Law, so that young people who commit
serious and violent offenses can't purchase
handguns as soon as they become adults. And we
should continue to crack down on illegal gun
markets, by increasing penalties for straw
purchases and for gang-related firearms offenses.
Next Steps. We must capitalize on the initiatives
announced by the President in October 1998 at the White
House Conference on School Safety.
The President announced a new federal response for
violent deaths and other crises in schools, to be
coordinated by the Departments of Justice, Education
and Health and Human Services. Funding for Project
SERV (School Emergency Response to Violence) is
04/21/99
WED
09:18
FAX
006
included in the President's FY 2000 budget.
He also announced a new initiative to hire up to
2,000 community police and School Resource
Officers to work in the most troubled schools. The
funding of these officers is underway.
In addition, the President announced the new Safe
Schools/Healthy Students Initiative, a grant program
jointly administered by the Departments of Justice,
Education and Health and Human Services and
designed to promote coordinated, comprehensive
plans for school safety in communities around the
country. Just a few weeks ago, Secretary Riley,
Surgeon General Satcher and I formally introduced
the Initiative.
Finally, we must continue to develop training for law
enforcement officers -- for the specific purpose of working
in schools. When an officer receives specific training on
how to communicate with students, on how to build
relationships, we see greater respect for officers by
students, and for students by officers. And that means
safer schools.
In short, the Justice Department, and the Administration as
a whole, have been working hard on the issue of school
safety and we think we've made a lot of progress, but this
new tragedy is a new call to action.
DRAFT
Attorney General Remarks on Colorado Shootings
Prepared by: Charles Simon
Reviewed by: Myron Marlin, Ricki Seidman, Ann Harkins
I want to take a moment to comment on yesterday's terrible shooting in
Littleton, Colorado.
It is impossible to make sense of a tragic event like this. Any time the
sound of gun fire rings out in our halls of learning, it rips through the
very fabric of our society.
As a nation, we are touched by the pain of the innocent victims, their
families and friends, the students, teachers and staff of Columbine High
School, and the community as a whole. Our hearts go out to all the
people of Jefferson County.
This morning, I want to praise local law enforcement, support services
and the faith community which responded so quickly and ably
yesterday. At the request of the local authorities, FBI and ATF agents
have been in Littleton providing assistance. We have teams of victims'
counselors standing by. We have let the community know that the
Departments of Justice and Education will provide whatever resources
they may need.
What we must do now is learn from this tragedy and use the lessons to
II/20'd PADD DTC 707
MA
99:60
help prevent future tragedies.
Although it comes as little comfort at a time like this, we must
remember that schools are still among the safest places for America's
children. Only 10% of public schools report any serious violent crime.
But we all know that even that small percentage is far too great.
Just over one year ago, I traveled to Jonesboro, Arkansas to attend a
memorial service in the wake of another terrible school shooting. I was
saddened as I mourned with the people there, but I was also inspired by
their strength of spirit, their faith in each other, and their belief in hope
and healing.
Spurred by the memory of those who died in last year's school
shootings, we redoubled our efforts to stop school violence. But
yesterday's shootings are a sad reminder that even those efforts may not
be enough.
We must mourn, and then we must do even more to solve this problem.
We owe it to those who suffered so terribly yesterday and to those who
live wherever else guns have shattered lives and broken the peace and
quiet of our schools and communities.
TI/CO'S zann HTC 702
cnn
JC.60
DRAFT
Leadership Talking Points for Colorado Tragedy
prepared by: Charles Simon
DRAFT
reviewed by Ricki Seidman, Ann Harkins
[HOLD UP "EARLY WARNING TIMELY RESPONSE"
REPORT DURING INTERVIEW]
Three Key Messages
1) The vast majority of schools are safe. [Only 10% public
schools report any serious violent crime.]
2) The Department of Justice and our federal partners are
prepared to provide assistance to the victims, the
families and the entire community of Littleton,
Colorado, when and where requested;
3)
We know what things work to help prevent this kind of
violence, but in order to succeed in our efforts we need
to engage communities, state and local governments;
business and the faith community.
Talking Points
Together with the Nation, I mourn with the family and
friends of those who were SO senselessly killed and injured
yesterday in Colorado. But, we do the victims no honor if
we allow our grief to overwhelm our resolve to prevent
future tragedies.
TT/HO'S Zatztz DTC 707
ma
25:60
In the wake of last year's tragic multiple shootings, this
Administration redoubled its efforts to stop school violence
before it starts. But yesterday's shootings are a reminder
that redoubled efforts are not necessarily enough. The
shootings are a new call to action. We must mourn, and
then we must do even more to solve this problem.
First, a look at what we have already done. Last year, we
convened two meetings with nationally-recognized experts
on youth violence. Uniformly, these experts told us that
there is much we know about how to prevent similar
incidents from arising and that there is much we can do.
They told us that, while we must punish and hold youthful
offenders accountable, we must do everything we can to
prevent similar tragedies from happening, as well.
Punishment. It is essential to have strong laws to
punish and hold youthful offenders suitably
accountable for these horrendous crimes. But that
alone won't bring back the dead; it won't heal the
wounded or make families whole again.
Identification of Warning Signs/Early Intervention.
We know the warning signs and risk factors that signal
potentially violent youth. We know that early
intervention with these young people has a
tremendous impact. We must train parents, school
personnel and community members to identify those
warning signs and we must provide resources for
early intervention, professional and otherwise.
TT/CM'A
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10:60 666T-IZ-AHH
To this end, in August 1998, the Departments of
Justice and Education issued guidelines to help
school principals and teachers recognize and
respond to youth who have displayed warning signs
of violent behavior. We have distributed hundreds
of thousands of copies of the "Early Warning
Timely Response" report.
Non-violent Ways to Deal with Aggression and
Resolve Conflicts. Conflict resolution curricula and
peer mediation programs are proving to be effective in
decreasing youth violence. In a cultural environment
where exposure to violent confrontations has become
matter-of-fact, we must give young people the skills to
resolve their interpersonal conflicts peacefully. As the
President has said, we must teach our children to solve
their conflicts through words, not violence.
To spread the word across the country, in October
1998, the Departments of Justice and Education
released the first Annual Report on School Safety,
including information on model conflict resolution
and other school crime reduction programs.
In addition, the COPS Officer at the Department of
Justice is pursuing promising problem-solving
partnerships between schools and law enforcement.
We know that when schools work together with
local law enforcement to tackle local school safety
issues, they enjoy remarkable success.
DTC 707
ГПП
Guns. The undeniable link among all of these recent
incidents is the presence of guns in the hands of
unsupervised youth. In 1994, 81% of juvenile
homicide offenders killed with a firearm -- with
approximately 3/4 of these firearms being handguns.
We can and must do more to limit unauthorized access
by young people to guns.
We should raise penalties for juveniles who possess
handguns, and for adults who illegally transfer
handguns to juveniles. We should extend the
Brady Law, so that young people who commit
serious and violent offenses can't purchase
handguns as soon as they become adults. And we
should continue to crack down on illegal gun
markets, by increasing penalties for straw
purchases and for gang-related firearms offenses.
Next Steps. We must capitalize on the initiatives
announced by the President in October 1998 at the White
House Conference on School Safety.
The President announced a new federal response for
violent deaths and other crises in schools, to be
coordinated by the Departments of Justice, Education
and Health and Human Services. Funding for Project
SERV (School Emergency Response to Violence) is
included in the President's FY 2000 budget.
He also announced a new initiative to hire up to 2,000
community police and School Resource Officers to
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work in the most troubled schools. The funding of
these officers is underway.
In addition, the President announced the new Safe
Schools/Healthy Students Initiative, a grant program
jointly administered by the Departments of Justice,
Education and Health and Human Services and
designed to promote coordinated, comprehensive
plans for school safety in communities around the
country. Just a few weeks ago, Secretary Riley,
Surgeon General Satcher and I formally introduced the
Initiative.
Finally, we must continue to develop training for law
enforcement officers -- for the specific purpose of working
in schools. When an officer receives specific training on
how to communicate with students, on how to build
relationships, we see greater respect for officers by
students, and for students by officers. And that means safer
schools.
In short, the Justice Department, and the Administration as
a whole, have been working hard on the issue of school
safety and we think we've made a lot of progress, but this
new tragedy is a new call to action.
con
85:60 S66I-IZ-AHH
Colorado School Shooting
Questions and Answers
DRAFT
prepared by: Charles Simon
reviewed by: Ricki Seidman and Myron Marlin
Q:
What is the federal role in this case?
A:
The FBI and ATF provided assistance to the local authorities during the course of the day
yesterday and remain on the scene and ready to provide additional support if needed.
Now, in the aftermath of this tragedy, our role is to provide whatever resources we can to
support the local authorities. Necessarily, the hours and days right after a tragedy like
this are challenging and terribly difficult, and the federal government stands ready to help
as, when and where we are needed. Our Office of Victims of Crime is in direct contact
with the Denver region victim assistance/crisis response network and has offered our
assistance. We will coordinate federal assistance with the Department of Education,
when and if requested by the local authorities. In addition, if asked, the federal
government will provide whatever support it can in the investigation of this tragedy.
Q:
Why are we seeing so many of these types of incidents?
A:
In fact, these types of incidents are remarkably rare. This is the first multiple shooting at
a school this school year, in a nation with 52 million students and 109,000 schools. Even
taking into account last school year when a number of multiple shootings took place at
school, less than one percent of homicides among this age group occurs in a school
setting. And only 10% of public schools report any serious violent crime. Nevertheless,
these are senseless and tragic incidents, and we must work to ensure that they don't
happen again. The fact that schools are among the safest places for America's children is
cold comfort in the face of a tragedy like this.
Q:
What has the Justice Department done since the first school shootings a year and a half
ago?
A:
Following the tragedy in Jonesboro, the Attorney General convened two meetings with a
broad range of national experts, who uniformly urged that we give a higher priority to
prevention and early intervention. The experts called on the Federal government to
widely disseminate information about what works and to provide financial assistance for
local communities to implement effective prevention and early intervention strategies.
In August 1998, the Departments of Justice and Education issued guidelines to help
school principals and teachers recognize and respond to youth who have displayed
warning signs of violent behavior. We have distributed hundreds of thousand of copies
of the "Early Warning Timely Response" report.
Then, in October 1998, the President hosted the first-ever White House Conference on
Zahn
CTC
707
ГОД
85:60
School Safety. At the Conference, the President released the first Annual Report on
School Safety developed by Secretary Riley and me. He also announced a series of new
school safety initiatives that are now well under way.
The President announced a new federal response for violent deaths and other crises in
schools, to be coordinated by the Departments of Justice, Education and Health and
Human Services. Funding for Project SERV (School Emergency Response to Violence)
is included in the President's FY 2000 budget.
He also announced a new initiative to hire up to 2,000 community police and School
Resource Officers to work in the most troubled schools. The funding of these officers is
now underway.
In addition, the President announced the new Safe Schools/Healthy Students Initiative, a
grant program jointly administered by the Departments of Justice, Education and Health
and Human Services and designed to promote coordinated, comprehensive plans for
school safety in communities around the country. Just a few weeks ago, Secretary Riley,
Surgeon General Satcher and I formally introduced the Initiative.
The COPS Officer at the Department of Justice is pursuing promising problem-solving
partnerships between schools and law enforcement. We know that when schools work
together with local law enforcement to tackle local school safety issues, they enjoy
remarkable success.
Finally, we continue to develop training for law enforcement officers -- for the specific
purpose of working in schools. When an officer receives specific training on how to
communicate with students, on how to build relationships, we SCC greater respect for
officers by students, and for students by officers. And that means safer schools.
In short, the Justice Department and the Administration as a whole have been working
hard on these issues and we think we've made a lot of progress, but this new tragedy is a
new call to action.
Q:
Why can't you do more?
A:
We can do more and we will do more. I can't tell you that we can prevent every incident,
but we can have an impact. There is, unfortunately, no cookie cutter approach. The
hard work has to take place at the local level, community by community. We can and
must support local efforts and get information about what works into the hands of the
people who need it. We must finish implementation of the initiatives announced by the
President at the Conference on School Safety. And we can take further steps at the
national level to limit children's unsupervised access to guns.
Q:
The common denominator in all these school shootings is guns in the hands of young
people. What are you doing to keep kids away from guns?
Zatztz
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TOTAL P.11
A:
We know that tough, targeted deterrence and better prevention are the key to reducing
juvenile violence. For example, in Boston, Federal, state and local law enforcement
worked with probation officers, clergy, community workers and many others to deliver a
tough, targeted message on gun violence. The result: no juvenile was killed for a 2 1/2
year period. But we can also do more to keep illegal guns out of the hands of young
people. We should raise penalties for juveniles who possess handguns, and for adults
who illegally transfer handguns to juveniles. We should extend the Brady Law, so that
young people who commit serious and violent offenses can't purchase handguns as soon
as they become adults. And we should continue to crack down on illegal gun markets, by
increasing penalties for straw purchases and for gang-related firearms offenses.
Q:
Do we need new laws that cover school shootings or allow federal prosecution of
juveniles who participate in them?
A:
Currently, fedcral law generally allows for the prosecution of certain juveniles as adults
for certain drug and gun crimes. Lower threshold ages for federal prosecution were
passed as part of the 1994 Crime Bill. In addition, a number of states have developed
innovative legislative solutions to the issue of appropriate juvenile prosecution and
incarceration.
Q:
Is the federal government planning to step in on Jonesboro or any of the other cases to
help keep the murderers in those cases locked up past their 18th birthdays?
A:
The Department currently has this matter under review. It would be inappropriate for me
to comment at this time.
Q:
The Justice Department keeps talking about prevention and yet we have seen more
incidents of multiple shootings in schools than at any time in history. Shouldn't you
change your focus to imposing tougher penalties that tell kids you won't be getting out
when you're 18, and you're going to jail for a long, long time?
A:
It is essential to have strong laws to punish and hold youthful offenders suitably
accountable for these horrendous crimes. But that won't bring back the dead, it won't
heal the wounded or make families whole again. So we must do everything we can to
PREVENT similar tragedies from happening, as well. Tougher penalties must go hand-
in-hand with improved efforts to detect early warning signs of violent behavior, to
provide crucial mental health and juvenile services, and to teach conflict resolution - to
name just a few prevention strategies.
>000
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65.60 666I-IZ-XHH
STATE
U.S. Department of Justice
Office of Legislative Affairs
Washington, D.C. 20530
FAX COVER SHEET
TO:
LiSA LEVIN
FAX NO. 456-2525
FROM: Jon Jennings
PHONE NO. 514-2141
FAX NO. 514-4482
DATE: 4-21-99
NO. OF PAGES 10
(EXCLUDING COVER)
COMMENTS VERY Important- Pls. deliver
TT/TO'J
mr
96:60 6661-17-H4H
APR-21-1999 10:42
EXEC. SEC. TREASURY DEPT
202 622 0073 P.01/02
& THE TREASURY
DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
THE 1759
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20220
Fax Transmission Cover Sheet
Date:
Number of Pages to Follow:
(
To:
Kris Baldeston
Fax:
456 - 2525
Tel:
From: David A. Bloom
Special Assistant to the Chief of Staff
1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Room 3028
Tel: (202) 622-0059
Fax: (202) 622-0073
Pager: (202) 622-1260
Memorandum
Kvis- Attached is on 1st hack at writing up
ATF's role. Updates will follow as events
develop. call with questions. Thanks
APR-21-1999 10:42
EXEC. SEC. TREASURY DEPT
202 622 0073 P.02/02
Columbiné ?
ATF's Role in the Colubien High School Shooting
Incident
in Littleton, Colorado
We have 13 investigators on scene in addition to the 2
canine handlers and 2 explosives enforcement officers.
At the request of the Jefferson County Sheriff's
office ATF investigators which includes certified
explosives specialists where asked to assist in
clearing the scene of explosives devices. This
clearing concluded at 1:30 a.m. Denver time. A total
of 7 destructive devices were located in the trunk of
one suspect's vehicle and 12 small devices were
located inside of the school. ATF's crime scene
mapping system has also been requested to document the
shoting and explosive scene for the Jefferson County
Sheriff's Office. The suspects have been identified
as being Eric Harris W/M age 18 and Dillon Claybold
W/M age 18. An associate of suspects Chris Morris has
been arrested as a witness and is currently in
custody.
We have a total of 15 dead which involves 10 students
in library, 2 died in the hospital and one died
outside of school and 1 teacher. Also the 2 suspects
were found dead in the library. At 10:00 a.m. Denver
time investigators along with explosives enforcement
officers and canine units will reenter the scene for
the final clearing prior to forensic teams entering
location. We will be involved in tracing firearms
described as 2 sawed-off shotguns, one handgun and one
carbine. We are also in the process of having
investigators and inspectors canvass explosives
licensees in an effort to determine who purchased
explosives related to this incident. We are also
sending a peer support team which includes 2 chaplains
to the scene to provide services to the victims,
witnesses and investigators.
Mark Joga
TOTAL P.02
Lisa J. Levin
04/21/99 10:12:12 AM
Record Type:
Record
To:
Sean P. O'Shea/WHO/EOP@EOP, Kris M Balderston/WHO/EOP@EOP
CC:
Subject: FW: Follow Up to Shooting
Forwarded by Lisa J. Levin/WHO/EOP on 04/21/99 10:12 AM
"Thornton, Leslie" <[email protected]>
04/21/99 10:08:47 AM
Record Type:
Record
To:
"[email protected]" <[email protected]>, Lisa J. Levin/WHO/EOP
CC:
Subject: FW: Follow Up to Shooting
Kris -
Per this morning's conference call.
Again, my e:mail is:
[email protected]
>
Original Message
> From: Modzeleski, Bill
> Sent: Wednesday, April 21, 1999 9:57 AM
> To: Thornton, Leslie
> Cc: Johnson, Judith; Rogers, Diane; Sullivan, Kevin; Green, Julie;
> Frank, David
> Subject:
Follow Up to Shooting
>
> As a follow up to the shooting in Colorado we have made the following
> contacts:
>
> --William Molonoy, Chief State School Officer, Colorado: Judith Johnson
> called Mr. Molonoy and offered assistance of ED. Need follow up call.
>
> -Susan Goren, President, National Association of School Psychologists:
> Susan offered help of NASP in providing assistance to the school system.
>
>
-Jenelle Kruger, Safe and Drug Free Schools Program Coordinator, Colorado
> State Education Agency: Offered assistance of SDFS Program.
>
> --Marleen Wong, Director of Mental Health, Los Angeles Public Schools:
>
Marleen has been instrumental in helping various communities that have
>
experienced crisis similar to Colorado. Marleen offered to help in this
> effort.
>
> --Kathyrn Thurman, Director, Office for Victims of Crime, Department of
> Justice. OVC and SDFS have joint agreement with National Office for
>
Victims of Crime to form crisis response teams and send those teams where
>
they are needed. Kathyrn has been working with community victim advocates
> and feels that the community is very well prepared to deal with this
> crisis. She doesn't know how well linked the school system is to the
> community.
>
> Actions for Today:
>
>
Primary focus will be to make contact with the superintendent of Jefferson
> County schools and find out what assistance is needed. We can offer the
> following:
>
> O Identification of persons who can provide crisis counseling assistance,
>
and payment to get those persons to Colorado.
>
> o Identification of persons who have experienced similar tragadies to
>
provide "hands on" help in days immediately following incident. We can pay
>
for travel and perdiem of these persons.
>
>
O Identification of persons who can help school district plan long-term
>
recovery plan. We are doing this with Springfield, Oregon and it is
>
working extremely well. We can pay costs of getting person to Colorado and
> perdiem expenses.
>
> o Identification of Security Experts. Often after such a shooting a school
> district wants to do a thorough review of its school safety plans,
> policies, etc. We can help identify a person(s) to conduct such a review
> and pay costs for getting person to Colorado.
- att1.unk
April 20, 1999
MEMORANDUM FOR JOE LOCKHART
FROM:
Kris Balderston
SUBJECT:
Agency Efforts on behalf of Littleton School Shootings
Following outlines agency responses and offers of assistance to help the Littleton school district.
The Department of Education
Secretary Riley will call the Jefferson County School Superintendent this morning to offer any
assistance to the community. Specifically, the Secretary will outline joint efforts between the
Department of Education, Justice, and HHS to provided crisis counselors and any other
assistance that is needed. Additionally, Secretary Riley will provide local officials with contact
names and numbers for those officials seeking federal assistance.
The Departments of Justice and Treasury
ATF and FBI agents are on the ground providing technical assistance to local law enforcement
officials. They are not active in the investigation as it is considered a local effort at this point.
Additionally, these agents may provide added security to the local hospitals and funerals if
requested and needed.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency
FEMA stands ready to provide media and community relations assistance to the local officials if
requested. The FEMA State Director is contacting the local officials to assess need in dealing
with the ongoing community relations initiatives.
The Department of Health and Human Services
HHS' Center for Mental Health Services has contacted the Colorado State Mental Health
Director to offer assistance with crisis counseling if requested. In addition, the Surgeon General
stands ready to provide assistance.
NOTE:
Secretary's Herman, Richardson and Glickman will be speaking to the Conference of Black
Mayors tomorrow in Denver, Colorado.
04/21/99 WED 08:34 FAX
ReseND
TownHall
NITVIN
of
2:30
DEPARTMENT
PCSD
FACSIMILE
L7LisaGuide
CEQ
From the Immediate Office of the Secretary
Executive Secretariat
To:
CHRIS
Fax#:
2-456-2525
53449
Re:
LITTLETON - URGENT
Date:
Pages: including this cover sheet 23
From the desk of:
LaVame Burton
Jackie White
Sandy Bart
John Gallivan
Kimberly Harold
Carlos McCormick
Christy Quigley
Martina Varnado
Mirtha Beadle
Ann White
Scott Boule
Melvin Whitfield
LaJuana Caldwell
Other
Carlos Cano
Sean Donohue
Neleen Eisenger
Lorraine Fishback
DREW HOLZAPFER
Johnathan Friebert
205-8154
Comments:
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
200 Independence Avenue SW
Immediate Office of the Secretary- Executive Secretarist
Washington, DC 20201
Fax: 205-8870 or 205-2135
002
04/21/99 WED 08:34 FAX
SERVICES.
(
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH 2 HUMAN SERVICES
Office of the Secretary
&
and
Washington, D.C. 20201
HHS Involvement in Littleton School Shooting
April 21, 1999
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA):
CMHS we will be in contact today with our State coordinator today to offer assistance if needed.
As you may know these emergency response teams are locally based across the nation. An
example of what may be offered is after the Oklahoma City bombing we helped to set up an
extensive mental health counseling network for those affected. We are working on a proposal
with DoE and DOJ to form a crisis response effort that would be available for these kinds of
situations but that is on the drawing board.
Office of Public Health & Science (OPHS):
will provide updates as soon as possible
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
will provide updates as soon as possible
003
04/21/99 WED 08:34 FAX
Safe Schools/Healthy Students Initiative
Although schools are generally safer today than they were just a few years ago - and statistics show
that students are safer sitting in a classroom than walking down a street - there is still much more that we can
do to improve the health and safety of our schools and students. Last Fall, in the wake of tragic multiple
shootings at a number of schools, the President convened the first-ever White House Conference on School
Safety, so that we could share ideas on how to make our schools and communities safer. During the
Conference, the President issued a call to action, announcing a series of new initiatives to address many of the
problems highlighted at the Conference.
An Unprecedented Collaborative Effort. Today, the Departments of Justice, Education, and Health
and Human Services (the "Agencies") are formally introducing an unprecedented collaborative effort, the Safe
Schools/Health Students Initiative (the "Initiative"). The Agencies through the Initiative - will provide
schools, students and communities with the tools to develop and implement comprchensive community-wide
strategies for creating safe and drug-free schools and for promoting healthy childhood development.
Enhanced Comprehensive Services. Students, schools and communities will receive enhanced
comprehensive educational, mental health, social service, law enforcement, and, as appropriate, juvenile
justice system services. Activities that may be funded as part of this Initiative include, but are not limited to,
truancy prevention, teen courts, alternative education, purchasing security equipment and services, after school
activities, mentoring, programs such as conflict resolution, life skills, school-based anti-drug curricula, nurse
home visitation, family strengthening and staff professional development. These services and activities will
allow young people to develop the social skills and emotional resilience necessary to avoid drug use and
violent behavior, and will help to create safe, disciplined and drug-free school environments. The Initiative is
based on evidence that a comprehensive, integrated community-wide approach is an effective way to promote
safe schools and healthy students.
A Streamlined Application Process. Through a streamlined, single application process,
approximately 50 successful applicants will receive support from the Agencies for up to three years
(depending on Congressional appropriation of funding in future years) to support a wide variety of
developmental, educational and public safety services. Successful applicants will be school districts (local
education agencies) representing community partnerships involving, at a minimum:
the local educational agency,
the local public mental health authority,
the local law enforcement agency,
family members,
students, and
juvenile justice officials.
A Demonstrated Plan. Applicants will be asked to demonstrate that their comprehensive safe school
plans include the following elements: (1) a secure school environment, (2) alcohol, drug and violence
prevention and early intervention, (3) school and community mental health preventive and treatment
intervention services, (4) early childhood psychosocial and emotional development services, (5) educational
reform, and (6) safe school policies.
Awards. Awards will range from up to $3 million per year for urban school districts, up to $2 million
per year for suburban school districts, and up to $1 million per year for rural school districts and tribal schools.
The Initiative will be funded out of FY1999 appropriations, with $60 million from the Safe and Drug Free
Schools Program of the Department of Education; $25 million from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health
Services Administration (SAMHSA) of the Department of Health and Human Services; and $15 million from
the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) of the Department of Justice. In addition,
up to $80 million are available from the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing
for the hiring of law enforcement officers to work in schools.
April 20, 1999
MEMORANDUM FOR JOE LOCKHART
FROM:
Kris Balderston
SUBJECT:
Agency Efforts on behalf of Littleton School Shootings
Following outlines agency responses and offers of assistance to help the Littleton school district.
The Department of Education
Secretary Riley will call the Jefferson County School Superintendent this afternoon to offer any
assistance to local school community officials. Specifically, the Secretary will outline joint
efforts between the Department of Education and HHS to provided crisis counselors.
Additionally, Secretary Riley will provide local officials with contact names and numbers for
those officials seeking federal assistance.
The Departments of Justice and Treasury
ATF and FBI agents are on the ground providing technical assistance to local law enforcement
officials. They are not active in the investigation as it is considered a local effort at this point.
Additionally, these agents may provide added security to the local hospitals and funerals if
requested and needed.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency
FEMA stands ready to provide media and community relations assistance to the local officials if
requested. The FEMA State Director is contacting the local officials to assess need in dealing
with the ongoing community relations initiatives.
The Department of Health and Human Services
HHS' Center for Mental Health Services has made contact with the State Emergency Coordinator.
and the Colorado State Mental Health Director to offer assistance with crisis counseling if
requested. In addition, the Surgeon General stands ready to provide assistance.
NOTE:
Secretary Herman will be speaking to the Conference of Black Mayors tomorrow in Denver,
Colorado.
Secretary Richardson will be in Denver, Colorado to speak to the Conference of Black Mayors.
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April 20, 1999
MEMORANDUM FOR JOE LOCKHART
FROM:
Kris Balderston
SUBJECT:
Agency Efforts on behalf of Littleton School Shootings
Following outlines agency responses and offers of assistance to help the Littleton school district.
The Department of Education
Secretary Riley will call the Jefferson County School Superintendent this afternoon to offer any
assistance to local school community officials. Specifically, the Secretary will outline joint
efforts between the Department of Education and HHS to provided crisis counselors.
Additionally, Secretary Riley will provide local officials with contact names and numbers for
those officials seeking federal assistance.
The Departments of Justice and Treasury
ATF and FBI agents are on the ground providing technical assistance to local law enforcement
officials. They are not active in the investigation as it is considered a local effort at this point.
Additionally, these agents may provide added security to the local hospitals and funerals if
requested and needed.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency
FEMA stands ready to provide media and community relations assistance to the local officials if
requested. The FEMA State Director is contacting the local officials to assess need in dealing
with the ongoing eommunity relations initiatives.
The Department of Health and Human Services
HHS' Center for Mental Health Services has made contact with the State Emergency Coordinator
and the Colorado State Mental Health Director to offer assistance with crisis counseling if
requested. In addition, the Surgeon General stands ready to provide assistance.
NOTE:
Secretary Herman will be speaking to the Conference of Black Mayors tomorrow in Denver,
Colorado.
Secretary Richardson will be in Denver. Colorado to speak to the Conference of Black Mayors.
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
April 20, 1999
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT
FROM:
Bruce Reed
Jose Cerda III
SUBJECT:
Policy Response to School Shootings
Here are some actions and legislative initiatives the Administration can undertake when
the response to the Littleton shootings inevitably turns to questions of federal policy:
1. Announce Grants for 600 School Resource Officers. Anytime this week or next,
you can announce Justice Department grants under the COPS program to help local school
districts hire some 600 police officers to work in schools. These will be the first such officers
awarded under the program you announced at the White House Conference on School Safety in
October, where we pledged to provide funds for up to 2,000 police officers in schools in FY99.
You could also announce that schools and communities have until June 1 to apply for nearly
$100 million in Safe Schools grants to 50 cities that put together comprehensive school safety
strategies -- another initiative you unveiled at the School Safety Conference.
2. Announce Legislation to Reform and Reauthorize Safe and Drug-Free Schools.
Anytime this week or next, you can unveil our Safe and Drug-Free Schools legislation that will
be included as part of the ESEA reauthorization. This proposal formally authorizes $12 million a
year for our FEMA-like emergency response teams; requires participating schools to adopt
comprehensive school safety plans; and renews the requirement that schools adopt "Zero
Tolerance" policies for guns. It also reforms the overall program to require competitive funding
at both the state and federal level. As details emerge from the Littleton shooting, we will review
this proposal to see whether any additional provisions are appropriate -- such as increased
funding for guidance counselors for troubled kids; gun violence education programs; and
alternative schools for disruptive and expelled students.
3. Announce Tough New Gun Legislation. Sometime next week -- and just days
before the NRA's national convention takes place in Denver (April 30 through May 2) -- you can
unveil a Youth Gun Crime Enforcement Act that includes gun initiatives you have already
announced (cracking down on gun shows and gun trafficking, extending the Brady waiting
period, increasing prosecution of gun crimes, tougher gun penalties, and a new provision to ban
the importation of large-capacity magazines), as well as several new or previously unnoticed
provisions targeted at juvenile gun violence:
1
Amending the juvenile handgun ban to include semiautomatic assault rifles manufactured
before the assault weapons ban went into place. Currently, an 18-year-old can legally
possess rifles, including assault rifles manufactured before Sept. 13, 1994. This
provision, from Rep. McCarthy's bill, would generally ban the possession of such assault
rifles until the age of 21.
Increasing the penalty for youth handgun or assault weapon possession to a felony.
Under current law, this offense is a misdemeanor, punishable by mandatory probation.
As a result, federal prosecutors have brought few of these cases.
Increasing the penalty for giving or selling a handgun or assault weapon to a juvenile for
use in a violent crime. This provision from our juvenile crime bill would establish a
mandatory minimum penalty of 3 years, but maintain the current maximum of 10 years.
Holding adults criminally responsible for giving juveniles access to certain firearms. You
called for this in the wake of the Jonesboro shootings, but we have never before
submitted our own proposal. Justice has signed off on a version to create a federal felony
that is narrowly tailored to target the most egregious cases of parental recklessness.
Expanding our Youth Crime Gun Interdiction Initiative. Our program to trace juvenile
gun crimes is currently in place in 27 cities. Our FY 2000 budget includes a total of $45
million, which will enable us to increase that number to 37. We could add Rep.
McCarthy's proposal to double the number of cities to 75 by 2003.
Juvenile Brady: This proposal from our juvenile crime bill would ban the possession of
handguns by violent juveniles when they turn 21.
Child Safety Locks: This proposal, also from our original juvenile crime bill, would
require federal gun dealers to issue triggerlocks with every gun sold.
2
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
April 20, 1999
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT
FROM:
Bruce Reed
Jose Cerda III
SUBJECT:
Rep. Carolyn McCarthy's Gun Legislation
Rep. McCarthy has introduced omnibus gun legislation, much of which we can probably
support. As noted below, a few provisions of her bill involving federal regulation of gun
manufacturing and safety may be more controversial and less likely to be enacted than your
existing proposals in those areas.
As we outline in a separate memo on potential policy responses to the Littleton shootings,
we were already finishing up a comprehensive gun bill for you to announce as part of your 21st
Century crime initiative. We will incorporate as many of Rep. McCarthy's provisions as
possible, as well as any other solid proposals that may emerge as we learn the facts of this case.
The provisions in Rep. McCarthy's bill that most directly affect juveniles are:
Expanding our Youth Crime Gun Interdiction Initiative to 75 cities by 2003. This
program is currently in place in 27 cities. Our FY 2000 budget would increase that
number to 37. Her bill also authorizes grants for additional ATF and law enforcement
personnel to combat illegal gun trafficking, which we also fund in our FY 2000 budget.
Amending the juvenile handgun ban to include semiautomatic assault rifles manufactured
before the assault weapons ban went into place. Currently, an 18-year-old can legally
possess rifles, including assault rifles manufactured before Sept. 13, 1994. This provision
would generally ban the possession of such assault rifles until the age of 21. As part of
your crime bill, we also plan to reintroduce a provision that would make a violation of
this statute a felony offense. Since existing law only provides for mandatory probation,
federal prosecutors have been reluctant to bring any of these cases.
Increasing the penalty for giving or selling a handgun or assault weapon to a juvenile for
use in a violent crime. Her bill would increase the maximum penalty for this offense
from the current 10 years to 20 years. In our crime bill, we planned to reintroduce the
provision from your juvenile crime bill that would establish a mandatory minimum
penalty of 3 years, but would maintain the current maximum of 10 years.
1
Creating criminal penalties for adults who give juveniles access to certain firearms. This
is similar to Durbin's "Child Access Prevention" (CAP) legislation, which we supported
in principle in the wake of the Jonesboro shootings. Our crime bill will include a
narrowly tailored version of this provision, which reflects Justice's concerns that a federal
CAP statute should only target the most egregious cases of parental recklessness, and
accordingly should be a felony offense with a stiffer penalty. The McCarthy and Durbin
legislation, on the other hand, would simply make it a federal misdemeanor offense for
adults to allow negligent access to firearms.
Creating a $50 million grant program for children's gun violence prevention education in
schools. This would authorize grants to local education agencies to work with law
enforcement to educate children about preventing gun violence. We will look at whether
we can incorporate this kind of education into our Safe and Drug-Free Schools proposal.
Rep. McCarthy's bill includes three other provisions that the Administration could
conceivably support, but which are more controversial and less likely to be enacted than your
own proposals in these areas:
Prohibiting the manufacture and importation of "unsafe guns". The legislation would
give Treasury broad regulatory authority to ensure that guns are designed to be child-
proof or that they include safety devices that make them so. Our child triggerlock
legislation requires federal gun dealers to provide a child safety-locking device with
every gun sold, but does not seek any new regulatory authority over how guns or gun-
safety devices are made.
Requiring a Consumer Products Safety Commission study on handgun safety. The
legislation would authorize up to $1.5 million for a CPSC review of how to prevent the
unauthorized use or discharge of handguns by children. ATF would be in a better
position to conduct such a study, since the CPSC is currently prohibited from studying
any firearms issues and there is little support in Congress for giving them this authority.
Establishing a CDC program to maintain a children's firearm-related injury surveillance
system. The legislation would give CDC authority to award $5 million a year in grants to
state and local governments to establish comprehensive data bases on the nature of gun-
related injuries to youths under the age of 21 in their communities. Your existing youth
gun crime tracing initiative is already spurring communities to gather much of this data in
ways more likely to reduce gun violence.
2
P.01
Apr-21-99 09:09A
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY
FAX COVER PAGE
Office:
(202) 586-7131
Fax:
(202) 586-7169
Date: 4/21
No. of Pages: 3
(including cover page)
To:
wis
From
Maya
Phone:
Fax No. :
Message:
Schedule for Denver for tomorrow
(still not final, but close). Call me n/
ques
Apr-21-99 09 : 10A
P.02
DRAFT 5
Last printed 4/21/99
4:47 pm
Arrive Denver International Airport
Note: YOU will be met by Jeremy Alexander(Advance), Dale Dixon
(Security), Rosalie Camisa (Special Services).
Phone: 303-348-4420
Fax: 800-329-2262
5:00 pm
Depart en route Adam's Mark Hotel
(Drive Time = 1 hour)
6:00 pm
Arrive Adam's Mark Hotel (1550 Court Place)
6:00 pm-
HOLD
6:15 pm
6:15 pm-
NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF BLACK MAYORS
7:00 pm
ROUNDTABLE
Contact:
Michelle Kouruma
Location:
Adam's Mark Hotel, Governors Square-12 Room
Phone:
303-893-3333
Fax:
303-626-2543
(Closed/25-30)
Program:
YOUR remarks will deal with the following:
-CECA bill
-HBCU support
-Minority contracting
-Carribean Energy Ministerial taking place in New Orleans
-EE activities (mention some of the cities)
-National Conference of Mayors support trip headed by Mayor Webb/African-
American summit
7:05 pm
Depart en route Denver Center for Performing Arts
(Drive Time = 10 minutes)
7:15 pm
Arrive Denver Center for Performing Arts (14th and Curtis Street)
7:00 pm-
MAYOR'S OPENING RECEPTION
9:00 pm
Contact:
Wayne Cauthen, Chief of Staff for Mayor Webb
Location:
Denver Center for Performing Arts, Don Seawell Room
Phone:
303-640-2419
6
Apr- - 21-99 09:10A
P.03
DRAFT 5
Last printed 4/21/99
Fax:
303-640-2329
Attendees
500 invitees
Program:
-Mix and mingle
-Mayor Webb gives opening remarks
-Mayor Webb introduces YOU
-YOU give remarks
9:15 pm
Depart en route Denver Centennial Airport
(Drive Time = 1 hour)
10:15 pm
Arrive Denver Centennial Airport
10:30 pm
Wheels up en route Miami, Florida.
Airline:
DOE(TBD)
Flight:
TBD
Flight Time:
3 hour, 45 minutes
Time Change:
+2 hours
Meal:
TBD
Manifest:
Secretary Richardson
Rebecca Gaghen
Linda Lingle
Natalie Wymer
Jeremy Alexander
Brice Cook
4:15 am
Arrive Miami, Florida
7
CALL NOTES FOR COLUMBINE HIGH SCHOOL, COLORADO
STATUS:
We stand ready to assist. County Comissioners will be contacted today.
BILL: Made several Contacts yestersay with the state commissioner. chief state school officer.
School District Head will be contacted this morning. We shoukld at least oput these victoms in
Contact so that Principle or superintendant can speak with fellow principles and superintendants
who have had this same experience.
Law Enforcement and Victim Coordinators will have a meeting today at four. These are only
locals. Attorney Generals Victyim Coordinator will be there.
Ann Harkins: Office of Victims and Crime is in touch with the victims out there. Investigation is
being handled on a local level. This should not be a federal investigation However FBI and ATF
is there.
JIM: ATF is lending hand in expertise, and help in assisting local government.
FEMA: Will be calling the State Director to Provide use of Community Relations Teams. State
Director will make appropriate calls as he sees fit.
HHS: Mental Health Response can be provided.
Bill Modez
260-1856
or email
[email protected]
There will be another call at 3:00
FOR JOE LOCKHART
Secretary of education will call the Superintendant and offer assistance from HHS, Justice,
Education and FEMA.
FEMA will be in touch with their state director for Media and Community Relations
Expertise.
Treasury has Sent ATF Agents and FBI to the scene.
HHS Mental Health Services has been in touch with Emergency Coordinator.
The Vast Majority of the Schools are Safe.
SUNTUM_M@A1
04/20/99 08:39:00 PM
Record Type:
Record
To:
See the distribution list at the bottom of this message
CC:
Subject: correction: "bitter" and sad experience -- not "better"
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
April 20, 1999
STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT
The Briefing Room
7:48 P.M. EDT
THE PRESIDENT: I want to begin by saying that Hillary
and I are profoundly shocked and saddened by the tragedy today in
Littleton, where two students opened fire on their classmates before
apparently turning their guns on themselves.
I have spoken with Governor Bill Owens and County
Commission Chair Patricia Holloway and expressed my profound concern
for the people of Littleton. I have spoken to Deputy Attorney
General Eric Holder, who, along with Attorney General Reno, is
closely monitoring the situation. I've asked the Attorney General
and the Secretary of Education to stand ready to assist local law
enforcement, the schools, the families, the entire community during
this time of crisis and sorrow.
A crisis response team is ready now to travel to
Colorado, and I strongly believe that we should do whatever we can to
get enough counselors to the families and the children as quickly as
possible. I know the other communities that have been through this
are also ready to do whatever they can to help.
I think that Patricia Holloway would not mind if I said
that, amidst all the turmoil and grief that she and others are
experiencing, she said to me just a moment ago that perhaps now
America would wake up to the dimensions of this challenge -- if it
could happen in a place like Littleton, and we could prevent anything
like this from happening again. We pray that she is right.
We don't know yet all the hows or whys of this tragedy.
Perhaps we may never fully understand it. St. Paul reminds us that
we all see things in this life through a glass darkly, that we only
partly understand what is happening. We do know that we must do more
to reach out to our children and teach them to express their anger
and to resolve their conflicts with words, not weapons. And we do
know we have to do more to recognize the early warning signs that are
sent before children act violently.
To the families who have lost their loved ones, to the
parents who have lost their beloved children, to the wounded children
and their families, to the people of the community of Littleton, I
can only say tonight that the prayers of the American people are with
you.
Thank you very much.
Q
Mr. President, you tried to get this message out
last fall. Is there anything additional that you can say or that the
federal government can do to prevent things like this from happening?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, I think on this case it's very,
very important that we have the facts, insofar as we can find
them out. You know, we had the conference here last fall; the
Attorney General and the Secretary of Education prepared the handbook
for all the schools that we asked to be widely used; and we do have,
from bitter and sad experience, a great cadre of very good, effective
grief counselors. My guess is that they will be needed in abundance
there for the children.
I think after a little time has passed, we need to have
a candid assessment about what more we can do to try to prevent these
things from happening.
Q
Mr. President, there seems to be an epidemic of
these kinds of incidents now. There was Paducah, Kentucky;
Jonesboro, Arkansas; Springfield, Oregon; and several others. Would
you characterize this as an epidemic affecting the nation's school
system?
THE PRESIDENT: I wouldn't want to use that word. What
I would like to know is whether we can learn enough from this, which
in its dimensions apparently is much greater than even the others
were, and see what else we can do.
I had a very interesting conversation this afternoon
with Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy, who, as all of you know, lost
her own husband, and son sustained a wound as a result of a shooting
incident on a commuter train. And that's what we talked about.
I think tonight we owe it to the people of Littleton and
to the families involved in this tragedy to let them go through the
grieving and deal and try to get the facts. And then the rest of
us have a responsibility to do everything we can to make sure this
doesn't make 1999 another year like last year, that we don't have
another rash of this, we really can be more effective in preventing
it.
And I wish I could say more tonight, but I don't think I
can.
Q Mr. President, have you been told, sir, that the
death toll is as high as the 25 figure that we've heard? And
secondly, sir, every time one of these things happens we go through
this chorus of hand-wringing and say, we've got to stop it from
happening again. Is there anything specific and concrete that you'd
like to see happening that hasn't happened yet?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, I don't want to make there are,
but what I would like to do is take a couple of days, because we
don't know what the facts are here. And keep in mind, the community
is an open wound right now, they have suffered as much as anyone can
suffer. This is the largest group of fatalities, whatever the
numbers are and I've heard various numbers, even as much as five
minutes ago, right before I came out.
I'd like to answer that question, but I think anything I
say tonight can only add to the pain of the people in Littleton and
not serve to solve the problem. So I will answer that question when
I have more facts and after we let a little time pass.
Q Mr. President, you said America should wake up.
Wake up to what, sir?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, I think there are a lot of kids
out there who have access to weapons - and apparently more than guns
here and who build up these grievances in their own mind,
and who are not being reached. And it's not just Littleton. We know
that now. We've had lots and lots and lots of places. So it's I
don't know how many of you have been there. I've
actually been there, I know the community, and it's a wonderful
place.
And I can't do better than what Patricia Holloway said,
the Commission Chair - if it can happen here, then surely people
will recognize that they have to be alive to the possibility that it
could occur in any community in America, and maybe that will help us
to keep it from happening again.
But you know what we put out before. You know the
efforts we've made. And I just think that tonight we need to focus
on the families that lost their kids, on the children that are
wounded, on the grieving of the community, give this thing a day or
two for the facts to emerge. And then I'll try to have more to say
to you.
Q
On just the point, Mr. President, at the time you
had that conference last year your administration said the students
are still safer sitting in a classroom than they are walking down the
street. Do you think Americans still think that's true? Do you
think that's true?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, statistically, for all the whole
53 million kids in our schools, it's true. But from the facts we're
hearing about what happened at this school and the possibility that
explosives were out there, that hand grenades were available, that
other things were there, it obviously wasn't true there. That was
obviously the most dangerous place in Colorado today.
So I don't want to -- but that doesn't -- that shouldn't
make people believe that every school is in danger. What it should
make every community do is to study this handbook we put out and see
what lessons can be learned here.
But again, tonight I think the American people ought to
be thinking about those folks in Littleton. Tomorrow and in the days
ahead we'll have more time to kind of gather ourselves and our
determination and go back at this again.
Thank you.
END
7:58 P.M. EDT
Message Sent To:
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
April 20, 1999
MEMORANDUM FOR MARIA ECHAVESTE
THURGOOD MARSHALL, JR.
MICKEY IBARRA
DOUG SOSNIK
LYNN CUTLER
SARA LATHAM
JENN PALMIERI
RON KLAIN
BRUCE REED
NANCY HERNREICH
FROM:
KRIS BALDERSTON hm3
SUBJECT:
FACT SHEETS ON THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION'S
POSSIBLE ASSISTANCE TO LITTLETON, CO
Attached are some materials from the Education Department on what they can offer the high
school in CO.
The Department has been in touch with the CO Superintendent.
[email protected]
04/20/99 04:48:00 PM
Record Type:
Record
To:
Kris M Balderston@EOP
CC:
Subject: FW: Shooting
Kris--
Per your request.
P.S. Bill's amazing!
Leslie
>
Original Message
> From: Modzeleski, Bill
> Sent: Tuesday, April 20, 1999 5:46 PM
> To: Thornton, Leslie
> Cc: Johnson, Judith; Modzeleski, Bill; Peterson, Terry; Smith, Mike;
> O'Leary, Ann; Green, Julie; Frank, David; Sullivan, Kevin
> Subject: Shooting
>
> Leslie: We have been in contact with folks from the Office for Victims of
> Crime at Justice and they tell us that they have some of the best trained
> crisis responders in the nation located in the Denver area. They are
> prepared to move to Littleton as soon as they receive a request from the
> superintendent or mayor.
>
> In regards to what we may be able to do I offer the following:
>
> O Link Colorado school officials up with school officials from
> Springfield, and other locations in which there was a multiple homicide.
> The superintendent can provide significant assistance in helping Colorado
> officials cope in the days following the crisis. We can pay for his
> travel and other costs associated with the travel.
V
> 0 Pay for Crisis Counselors: While we are uncertain about the immediate
> need, we can provide resources to help the school district identify and
> bring in crisis counselors. We can also help the district in long term
> follow up to the disaster. We have had persons work with Springfield,
> Oregon and could provide valuable assistance to the district.
>
> O Identify Expert to Review Policies and Programs: We can identify and
> bring in any expert they want to help them review policies and programs
> designed to prevent school violence.
>
> O Training and Technical Assistance: We can provide training and
> technical assistance in range of efforts, ranging from prevention
> programming to coping with disaster.
>
> O Teacher / Staff Follow up: We can provide assistance in helping
>
teachers and other staff cope with the consequences of the disaster.
APR 20 '99 04:37PM DOE/OFC OF SECRETARY
P.2/4
TALKING POINTS
Federal Response to School Violence
As a result of series of tragic and violent school shootings across the country
(Springfield, Oregon, West Paducah, Kentucky, Pearl, Mississippi, and Jonesboro,
Arkansas) in 1997/1998 the federal government has taken a series of steps to support
local efforts to prevent school violence.
IMMEDIATE ACTION
The Dept. of Education, as it has in the past, has offered immediate assistance and
services to the Chief State School Officer of Colorado Bill Maloney. 303-866-6600
The Dept. has provided services (i.e.post-trauma counseling) to the 4 communities listed
above.
EARLY WARNING GUIDE
In August of 1998, the Administration provided an "Early Warning Guide" to every
school district in the country to identify children and young people who might commit
acts of violence.
* Over 100,000 copies are now in circulation and we are now in our second printing of
the next 100,000.
# Workshops have been held all across the country to explain how to use the Guide
including workshops for the Colorado Schools Boards Association as well as the
Colorado Association of School Psychologists
* There are 6 school psychologists in the immediate area of Columbine High School, who
have been trained in "crisis intervention" by NOVA ( the National Organization of
Victim Assistance)
PROJECT SERV
* The Administration has proposed a new $12 million initiative that we call Project
SERV ( School Emergency Response to Violence) to help schools and communities
respond to tragic acts of violence. The funds would be used to support mental health
counseling, emergency medical and law enforcement service and other unplanned
expenses.
APR 20 '99 04:37PM DOE/OFC OF SECRETARY
P.3/4
2
Safe Schools/Healthy Students Initiative
3 federal agencies (Education, Justice and HHS) have set aside $95 million for the
largest interagency youth, drug and violence prevention effort that has ever been
undertaken. Education will contribute $60 million.
We seek to fund 50 school districts that are willing to take a comprehensive community-
wide approach to preventing violence, decreasing drug use and giving young people
healthier options about how to live their lives.
These grants are "fast tracked" and will be made by September of 1999. Grants will
range from $3 million per year for urban school districts, $2 million for suburban school
districts and up to million for rural school districts.
Other Initiatives
National Resource Center for Safe Schools: The Northwest Regional Educational
Laboratory has been award a grant to operate this Resource Center.
"Preventing Bullying" Manual: In the fall of 1998 the Dept of Education released for
the first time a manual to prevent bullying.
Anti-Harassment Guide for Schools was released in conjunction with the National
Association of Attorneys General.
APR 20 '99 04:38PM DOE/OFC OF SECRETARY
P.4/4
Los Angeles Times Nation & World News Update
Page 1 of. 2
News
GO
Site Index
GO
Los Angeles Times
NATION & WORLD
AUCTION
Web-published 11:43, Thursday, May 21, 1998
UPDATE
Recent U.S. School Shootings
From Associated Press
Salem
R
ecent shootings involving U.S. schools:
OREGON
May 19, 1998 - Three days before his graduation,
Spenatield
an 18-year-old honor student allegedly opens fire in parking
School
shoping
lot at Lincoln County High School in Fayetteville, Tenn.,
killing classmate who was dating his ex-girlfriend,
RELATED
April 28, 1998 - Two teen-age boys are shot to death and
Recent U.S. School
a third is wounded as they played basketball at a Pomona,
Shootings
Calif., elementary school hours after classes had ended. A
14-year-old boy is charged; the shooting is blamed on rivalry
Thurston High
between two groups of youths.
School
April 24, 1998 - A 48-year-old science teacher is shot to
death in front of students at graduation dance in Edinboro, Pa.
Government Study:
A 14-year-old student at James W. Parker Middle School is
Violence and Discipline
Problems in Public
charged.
Schools: 1996-97
March 24, 1998 - Four girls and a teacher are shot to
death and 10 others wounded during a false fire alarm at
Schools Learn to
Westside Middle School in Jonesboro, Ark. Two boys, age 11
Take Threats More
and 13, are accused of setting the alarm and then opening fire
Seriously (5/2/98)
from a nearby woods.
Dec. 1, 1997 - Three students are killed and five others
Violent Culture
wounded while they take part in a prayer circle in a hallway at
Media Share Blame,
Experts Say (3/28/98)
Heath High School in West Paducah, Ky. A 14-year-old
student, described as emotionally immature, is arrested. One of
Violence in Schools
the wounded girls is left paralyzed.
on Rise Across U.S.
Oct. 1, 1997 - A 16-year-old outcast in Pearl, Miss., is
Report Finds (11/2/94)
accused of killing his mother, then going to Pearl High School
and shooting nine students. Two of them die, including the
Study Backs
suspect's ex-girlfriend. Authorities later accuse six friends of
Perception of Campus
conspiracy, saying the suspects were part of a group that
Violence (12/17/93)
dabbled in satanism.
Feb. 19, 1997 - A 16-year-old student opens fire with a
shotgun in a common area at the Bethel, Alaska, high school,
killing the principal and a student. Two other students are
wounded. Authorities later accuse two other students of
knowing the shootings would take place. Evan Ramsey was
sentenced to two 99-year terms.
Copyright Los Angeles Times'
http://www.latimes.com/HOME/NEWS/NATION/UPDATES/shootlist0521.htm
5/22/98
[email protected]
04/20/99 04:48:00 PM
Record Type:
Record
To:
Kris M Balderston@EOP
CC:
Subject: FW: Shooting
Kris-
Per your request.
P.S. Bill's amazing!
Leslie
>
Original Message
> From: Modzeleski, Bill
> Sent: Tuesday, April 20, 1999 5:46 PM
> To: Thornton, Leslie
> Cc: Johnson, Judith; Modzeleski, Bill; Peterson, Terry; Smith, Mike;
> O'Leary, Ann; Green, Julie; Frank, David; Sullivan, Kevin
> Subject: Shooting
>
> Leslie: We have been in contact with folks from the Office for Victims of
> Crime at Justice and they tell us that they have some of the best trained
> crisis responders in the nation located in the Denver area. They are
> prepared to move to Littleton as soon as they receive a request from the
> superintendent or mayor.
>
> In regards to what we may be able to do I offer the following:
>
> o Link Colorado school officials up with school officials from
> Springfield, and other locations in which there was a multiple homicide.
> The superintendent can provide significant assistance in helping Colorado
> officials cope in the days following the crisis. We can pay for his
> travel and other costs associated with the travel.
>
> o Pay for Crisis Counselors: While we are uncertain about the immediate
> need, we can provide resources to help the school district identify and
> bring in crisis counselors. We can also help the district in long term
> follow up to the disaster. We have had persons work with Springfield,
> Oregon and could provide valuable assistance to the district.
>
> O Identify Expert to Review Policies and Programs: We can identify and
> bring in any expert they want to help them review policies and programs
> designed to prevent school violence.
>
> O Training and Technical Assistance: We can provide training and
> technical assistance in range of efforts, ranging from prevention
> programming to coping with disaster.
>
> o Teacher / Staff Follow up: We can provide assistance in helping
> teachers and other staff cope with the consequences of the disaster.
APR 20 '99 04:37PM DOE/OFC OF SECRETARY
P.2/4
TALKING POINTS
Federal Response to School Violence
As a result of series of tragic and violent school shootings across the country
(Springfield, Oregon, West Paducah, Kentucky, Pearl, Mississippi, and Jonesboro,
Arkansas) in 1997/1998 the federal government has taken a series of steps to support
local efforts to prevent school violence.
IMMEDIATE ACTION
The Dept. of Education, as it has in the past, has offered immediate assistance and
services to the Chief State School Officer of Colorado Bill Maloney. 303-866-6600
The Dept. has provided services (i.e.post-trauma counseling) to the 4 communities listed
above.
EARLY WARNING GUIDE
In August of 1998, the Administration provided an "Early Warning Guide" to every
school district in the country to identify children and young people who might commit
acts of violence.
* Over 100,000 copies are now in circulation and we are now in our second printing of
the next 100,000.
* Workshops have been held all across the country to explain how to use the Guide
including workshops for the Colorado Schools Boards Association as well as the
Colorado Association of School Psychologists
* There are 6 school psychologists in the immediate area of Columbine High School, who
have been trained in "crisis intervention" by NOVA ( the National Organization of
Victim Assistance)
PROJECT SERV
* The Administration has proposed a new $12 million initiative that we call Project
SERV School Emergency Response to Violence) to help schools and communities
respond to tragic acts of violence. The funds would be used to support mental health
counseling, emergency medical and law enforcement service and other unplanned
expenses.
APR 20 '99 04:37PM DOE/OFC OF SECRETARY
P.3/4
2
Safe Schools/Healthy Students Initiative
3 federal agencies (Education, Justice and HHS) have set aside $95 million for the
largest interagency youth, drug and violence prevention effort that has ever been
undertaken. Education will contribute $60 million.
We seek to fund 50 school districts that are willing to take a comprehensive community-
wide approach to preventing violence, decreasing drug use and giving young people
healthier options about how to live their lives.
These grants are "fast tracked" and will be made by September of 1999. Grants will
range from $3 million per year for urban school districts, $2 million for suburban school
districts and up to million for rural school districts.
Other Initiatives
National Resource Center for Safe Schools: The Northwest Regional Educational
Laboratory has been award a grant to operate this Resource Center.
"Preventing Bullying" Manual: In the fall of 1998 the Dept of Education released for
the first time a manual to prevent bullying.
Anti-Harassment Guide for Schools was released in conjunction with the National
Association of Attorneys General.
APR 20 '99 04:38PM DOE/OFC OF SECRETARY
P.4/4
Los Angeles Times Nation & World News Update
Page 1 of 2
News
GO
Site Index
GO
Los Angeles Times
NATION & WORLD
WHELRY
AUCTION
Web-published 11:43, Thursday, May 21, 1998
UPDATE
Recent U.S. School Shootings
From Associated Press
Salem
R
ecent shootings involving U.S. schools:
OREGON
May 19, 1998 - Three days before his graduation,
Springfield
School
an 18-year-old honor student allegedly opens fire in parking
shopting
lot at Lincoln County High School in Fayetteville, Tenn.,
killing classmate who was dating his ex-girlfriend.
RELATED
April 28, 1998 - Two teen-age boys are shot to death and
Recent U.S. School
a third is wounded as they played basketball at a Pomona,
Shootings
Calif., elementary school hours after classes had ended. A
14-year-old boy is charged; the shooting is blamed on rivalry
Thurston High
between two groups of youths.
School
April 24, 1998 - A 48-year-old science teacher is shot to
death in front of students at graduation dance in Edinboro, Pa.
Government Study:
A 14-year-old student at James W. Parker Middle School is
Violence and Discipline
Problems in Public
charged.
Schools: 1996-97
March 24, 1998 - Four girls and a teacher are shot to
death and 10 others wounded during a false fire alarm at
Schools Learn to
Westside Middle School in Jonesboro, Ark. Two boys, age 11
Take Threats More
and 13, are accused of setting the alarm and then opening fire
Seriously (5/2/98)
from a nearby woods.
Dec. 1, 1997 - Three students are killed and five others
Violent Culture
wounded while they take part in a prayer circle in a hallway at
Media Share Blame,
Experts Say (3/28/98)
Heath High School in West Paducah, Ky. A 14-year-old
student, described as emotionally immature, is arrested. One of
Violence in Schools
the wounded girls is left paralyzed.
on Rise Across U.S.,
Oct. 1, 1997 - A 16-year-old outcast in Pearl, Miss., is
Report Finds (11/2/94)
accused of killing his mother, then going to Pearl High School
and shooting nine students. Two of them die, including the
Study Backs
suspect's ex-girlfriend, Authorities later accuse six friends of
Perception of Campus
conspiracy, saying the suspects were part of a group that
Violence (12/17/93)
dabbled in satanism.
Feb. 19, 1997 - A 16-year-old student opens fire with a
shotgun in a common area at the Bethel, Alaska, high school,
killing the principal and a student. Two other students are
wounded. Authorities later accuse two other students of
knowing the shootings would take place. Evan Ramsey was
sentenced to two 99-year terms.
Copyright Los Angeles Times
http://www.latimes.com/HOME/NEWS/NATION/UPDATES/shootlist0571.htm
5/22/98
[email protected]
04/20/99 04:48:00 PM
Record Type:
Record
To:
Kris M Balderston@EOP
CC:
Subject: FW: Shooting
Kris--
Per your request.
P.S. Bill's amazing!
Leslie
>
Original Message
> From: Modzeleski, Bill
> Sent: Tuesday, April 20, 1999 5:46 PM
> To: Thornton, Leslie
> Cc: Johnson, Judith; Modzeleski, Bill; Peterson, Terry; Smith, Mike;
> O'Leary, Ann; Green, Julie; Frank, David; Sullivan, Kevin
> Subject: Shooting
>
> Leslie: We have been in contact with folks from the Office for Victims of
> Crime at Justice and they tell us that they have some of the best trained
> crisis responders in the nation located in the Denver area. They are
> prepared to move to Littleton as soon as they receive a request from the
> superintendent or mayor.
>
> In regards to what we may be able to do I offer the following:
>
> O Link Colorado school officials up with school officials from
> Springfield, and other locations in which there was a multiple homicide.
> The superintendent can provide significant assistance in helping Colorado
> officials cope in the days following the crisis. We can pay for his
> travel and other costs associated with the travel.
>
> O Pay for Crisis Counselors: While we are uncertain about the immediate
> need, we can provide resources to help the school district identify and
> bring in crisis counselors. We can also help the district in long term
> follow up to the disaster. We have had persons work with Springfield,
> Oregon and could provide valuable assistance to the district.
>
> O Identify Expert to Review Policies and Programs: We can identify and
> bring in any expert they want to help them review policies and programs
> designed to prevent school violence.
>
> O Training and Technical Assistance: We can provide training and
> technical assistance in range of efforts, ranging from prevention
> programming to coping with disaster.
>
> O Teacher / Staff Follow up: We can provide assistance in helping
>
teachers and other staff cope with the consequences of the disaster.
APR 20 '99 04:37PM DOE/OFC OF SECRETARY
P.2/4
TALKING POINTS
Federal Response to School Violence
As a result of series of tragic and violent school shootings across the country
(Springfield, Oregon, West Paducah, Kentucky, Pearl, Mississippi, and Jonesboro,
Arkansas) in 1997/1998 the federal government has taken a series of steps to support
local efforts to prevent school violence.
IMMEDIATE ACTION
The Dept. of Education, as it has in the past, has offered immediate assistance and
services to the Chief State School Officer of Colorado Bill Maloney. 303-866-6600
The Dept. has provided services (i.e.post-trauma counseling) to the 4 communities listed
above.
EARLY WARNING GUIDE
In August of 1998, the Administration provided an "Early Warning Guide" to every
school district in the country to identify children and young people who might commit
acts of violence.
*
Over 100,000 copies are now in circulation and we are now in our second printing of
the next 100,000.
#
Workshops have been held all across the country to explain how to use the Guide
including workshops for the Colorado Schools Boards Association as well as the
Colorado Association of School Psychologists
*
There are 6 school psychologists in the immediate area of Columbine High School, who
have been trained in "crisis intervention" by NOVA ( the National Organization of
Victim Assistance)
PROJECT SERV
* The Administration has proposed a new $12 million initiative that we call Project
SERV ( School Emergency Response to Violence) to help schools and communities
respond to tragic acts of violence. The funds would be used to support mental health
counseling, emergency medical and law enforcement service and other unplanned
expenses.
APR 20 '99 04:37PM DOE/OFC OF SECRETARY
P.3/4
2
Safe Schools/Healthy Students Initiative
3 federal agencies (Education, Justice and HHS) have set aside $95 million for the
largest interagency youth, drug and violence prevention effort that has ever been
undertaken. Education will contribute $60 million.
We seek to fund 50 school districts that are willing to take a comprehensive community-
wide approach to preventing violence, decreasing drug use and giving young people
healthier options about how to live their lives.
These grants are "fast tracked" and will be made by September of 1999. Grants will
range from $3 million per year for urban school districts, $2 million for suburban school
districts and up to million for rural school districts.
Other Initiatives
National Resource Center for Safe Schools: The Northwest Regional Educational
Laboratory has been award a grant to operate this Resource Center.
"Preventing Bullying" Manual: In the fall of 1998 the Dept of Education released for
the first time a manual to prevent bullying.
Anti-Harassment Guide for Schools was released in conjunction with the National
Association of Attorneys General.
APR 20 '99 38PM DOE/OFC OF SECRETARY
P.
Los Angeles Times Nation & World News Update
Page I of 2
News
GO
Site Index
GO
Los Angeles Times
NATION 3 WORLD
WHELPY
AUCTION
Web-published 11:43, Thursday, May 21, 1998
UPDATE
Recent U.S. School Shootings
From Associated Press
Salem
R
ecent shootings involving U.S. schools:
OREGON
May 19, 1998 - Three days before his graduation,
Statement
School
an 18-year-old honor student allegedly opens fire in parking
shooting
lot at Lincoln County High School in Fayetteville, Tenn.,
killing classmate who was dating his ex-girlfriend.
RELATED
April 28, 1998 - Two teen-age boys are shot to death and
Recent U.S. School
a third is wounded as they played basketball at a Pomona,
Shootings
Calif., elementary school hours after classes had ended. A
14-year-old boy is charged; the shooting is blamed on rivalry
Thurston High
between two groups of youths.
School
April 24, 1998 - A 48-year-old science teacher is shot to
death in front of students at graduation dance in Edinboro, Pa.
Government Study:
A 14-year-old student at James W. Parker Middle School is
Violence and Discipline
Problems in Public
charged.
Schools: 1996-97
March 24, 1998 - Four girls and a teacher are shot to
death and 10 others wounded during a false fire alarm at
Schools Learn to
Westside Middle School in Jonesboro, Ark. Two boys, age 11
Take Threats More
and 13, are accused of setting the alarm and then opening fire
Seriously (5/2/98)
from a nearby woods.
Dec. 1, 1997 - Three students are killed and five others
Violent Culture
wounded while they take part in a prayer circle in a hallway at
Media Share Blame,
Experts Say (3/28/98)
Heath High School in West Paducah, Ky. A 14-year-old
student, described as emotionally immature, is arrested. One of
Violence in Schools
the wounded girls is left paralyzed.
on Rise Across U.S.,
Oct. 1, 1997 - A 16-year-old outcast in Pearl, Miss., is
Report Finds (11/2/94)
accused of killing his mother, then going to Pearl High School
and shooting nine students. Two of them die, including the
Study Backs
suspect's ex-girlfriend. Authorities later accuse six friends of
Perception of Campus
conspiracy, saying the suspects were part of a group that
Violence (12/17/93)
dabbled in satanism.
Feb. 19, 1997 - A 16-year-old student opens fire with a
shotgun in a common area at the Bethel, Alaska, high school,
killing the principal and a student. Two other students are
wounded. Authorities later accuse two other students of
knowing the shootings would take place. Evan Ramsey was
sentenced to two 99-year terms.
Copyright Los Angeles Times'
http://www.latimes.com/HOME/NEWS/NATION/UPDATES/shootIist0521.htm
5/22/98
[email protected]
04/20/99 04:48:00 PM
Record Type:
Record
To:
Kris M Balderston@EOP
CC:
Subject: FW: Shooting
Kris--
Per your request.
P.S. Bill's amazing!
Leslie
>
Original Message
> From: Modzeleski, Bill
> Sent: Tuesday, April 20, 1999 5:46 PM
> To: Thornton, Leslie
> Cc: Johnson, Judith; Modzeleski, Bill; Peterson, Terry; Smith, Mike;
> O'Leary, Ann; Green, Julie; Frank, David; Sullivan, Kevin
> Subject: Shooting
>
> Leslie: We have been in contact with folks from the Office for Victims of
> Crime at Justice and they tell us that they have some of the best trained
> crisis responders in the nation located in the Denver area. They are
> prepared to move to Littleton as soon as they receive a request from the
> superintendent or mayor.
>
> In regards to what we may be able to do I offer the following:
>
> o Link Colorado school officials up with school officials from
> Springfield, and other locations in which there was a multiple homicide.
> The superintendent can provide significant assistance in helping Colorado
> officials cope in the days following the crisis. We can pay for his
> travel and other costs associated with the travel.
>
> O Pay for Crisis Counselors: While we are uncertain about the immediate
> need, we can provide resources to help the school district identify and
> bring in crisis counselors. We can also help the district in long term
> follow up to the disaster. We have had persons work with Springfield,
> Oregon and could provide valuable assistance to the district.
>
> O Identify Expert to Review Policies and Programs: We can identify and
> bring in any expert they want to help them review policies and programs
> designed to prevent school violence.
>
> O Training and Technical Assistance: We can provide training and
> technical assistance in range of efforts, ranging from prevention
> programming to coping with disaster.
>
> O Teacher / Staff Follow up: We can provide assistance in helping
> teachers and other staff cope with the consequences of the disaster.