In the wake of Monday’s massacre at Virginia Tech, Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter has reached out to his counterpart in Virginia, offering condolences and assistance in the form of knowledge gained following the 1999 shootings at Columbine High School in Littleton.
“I just made an offer to say there may be some lessons we have learned as a state in the aftermath of Columbine that we could share with the people of Virginia, with his administration, particularly as it relates to try and take care of the people who are witnesses to this event, the individuals who are victims, family members, victims who were injured, those types of things,” Ritter said this morning, while detailing the contents of a letter he had written to Gov. Timothy Kaine. Ritter said he also left Kaine a voicemail Monday night and that his chief of staff has been communicating with his counterpart in the Virginia governor’s office.
In line with President Bush’s order to lower flags at federal facilities, Ritter today also ordered state flags lowered to half-staff through sunset on Sunday to honor the shooting victims.
“This is a national tragedy, and we all are grieving. Colorado knows all too well the indescribable sorrow being felt in Virginia,” Ritter said in a statement. “With the eighth anniversary of the Columbine shootings approaching this Friday,” he added, “we also must be mindful of taking care of ourselves here in Colorado.”
Here is the text of Ritter’s letter to Kaine:
Dear Governor Kaine,
On behalf of the people of Colorado, please accept my deepest sympathies for the unspeakable sorrow you and every Virginian are now experiencing. You all are in my thoughts and prayers in this time of great pain and despair.
Colorado still struggles beneath the weight of the Columbine High School shootings. I extend to you and to the Commonwealth of Virginia the benefit of our experiences and lessons learned. As a member of the Columbine Review Task Force, I believe we in Colorado can provide you with guidance and advice in the days ahead. I believe we had particular experiences in dealing with the witness and victim family members that may inform you as you go forward. Please do not hesitate to call on me for assistance.
God bless you, and God bless Virginia.
Sincerely,
Bill Ritter Jr.
Colorado Governor
