Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling’s statement on April 16th 2-year anniversary

RICHMOND – Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling today issued the following statement in remembrance of the shootings at Virginia Tech on April 16, 2007.

“Today we remember the tragic shootings at Virginia Tech, which resulted in the deaths of 32 people.  The days following this shooting were dark days for our Commonwealth, but we endured them with unity and faith and we have emerged stronger as a result of the lessons we learned from that horrible day.

“Today, and everyday since April 16, 2007, we remember the families of those who lost their lives and those who were injured in the shootings at Norris Hall.  We pray, as we have prayed, that God will surround them with His steadfast love and that their faith will remain strong as they lean upon His everlasting arms, which is the only way to truly endure an ordeal such as this.

“As a result of this shooting we have learned much and we have taken steps to reduce the likelihood of an incident of this nature occurring again, including improvements in our campus emergency communications systems, our mental health laws, and our gun laws.  However, we continue to learn lessons from this tragic event, and we will continue to respond to these lessons as they are learned.

“Jean Ann and I have always considered ourselves to be an adopted part of the Hokie Nation.  Our son Matt graduated from Virginia Tech in 2006, and Blacksburg has always been a very special place to us.  Virginia Tech is truly one of America’s great universities, and we have been impressed to see how the tragic events of two years ago have not dampened the Hokie spirit, but indeed made that spirit even stronger.

“On this day our prayers once again turn toward Blacksburg and those that still grieve over these senseless shootings, and our pride in being Hokies is rekindled once again.”