I remember April 16, 2007 as if it had happened just yesterday. As a college student myself at the time, I was amazed at how quickly Virginia Tech and neighboring schools came together, and how supportive my own alma mater was to VT and students on our own campus.

That day affected everyone and will remain with me for the rest of my life. My thoughts, prayers and tears are with Virginia Tech, their students and the lives of those family members and friends who lost their loved ones on that tragic day.

"For today, we are all Hokies."

Here's a statement from Gov. Tim Kaine:
"On April 16, 2007, Virginia Tech University suffered a terrible tragedy. Today, my thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families and the entire Virginia Tech community. In the year that has passed since that horrible day, we have grieved for those we lost and prayed for the comfort of their loved ones. We have rejoiced in the recovery of those who were injured. We have been inspired by the unfaltering hope and Hokie spirit of Virginia Tech. And we have renewed our commitment to do even more to learn lessons from that day and to make our campuses and communities safer. As I think about the victims' families, I am at a loss for words to express what is in my heart. The courage and strength they have shown in the face of such tremendous, tragic loss is awe-inspiring. We have been inspired by the resilient Hokie spirit of Virginia Tech, both in Blacksburg and around the world. Since that tragic day last April, the unshakeable sense of unity and hope demonstrated by the Hokies has touched the lives of people around the world. Their focus on pulling together to support their school and each other in the days after the shooting, and their commitment to public service through the VT Engage program in the months that followed has moved us all. We still have work to do. A continued commitment to improvement is the best tribute we can pay to those who lost so much. And as we move forward, we will continue to be inspired by those in the Hokie Nation."

Here is a statement from U.S. Sen. Jim Webb:
"A year ago today, a great tragedy shook the campus of Virginia Tech. I want to take a moment to commend the strength of the parents, spouses, family members and friends of those 32 students and faculty who were taken from us at that time. I would also like to express my continuing admiration for the Blacksburg community and the students of Virginia Tech, who have shown grace, humanity and resilience in the wake of such tragedy. This terrible tragedy underscores the need to ensure early access to counseling programs and the treatment of mental illness. It also calls attention to the need to review and correct federal guidelines so that school officials, administrators and law enforcement can work in tandem to effectively ensure the safety of our students while upholding their privacy. I have introduced legislation with Senator Warner to that effect, and it is my hope that it will soon pass the Congress. I join Governor Kaine in calling for a moment of silence at noon to honor the memory of those lost and the many lives they touched."

One thing I find interesting is the knee-jerk reaction to getting laws changed. Will that matter in the end?