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[Reprinted with permission.]
 

Virginia Tech Victims' Families for Truth & Accountability

October 13, 2009

Delegate Dave Albo
6367 Rolling Mill Place, Ste. 102
Springfield, VA 22152
 
 
Dear Delegate Albo:
 
            After seeing your recent mailer in which you accuse Greg Werkheiser of “exploiting the Virginia Tech Massacre”, we find it necessary to set the record straight and let your constituents know the truth about your record.
 
            In the aftermath of the April 16th, 2007 massacre at Virginia Tech, and to honor those who were killed or injured, we came together with other family members in an effort to spare others the pain of gun violence.  We have worked diligently to assure that another tragedy of that magnitude does not happen again.
 
            The families supported the recommendation of the Virginia Tech Review Panel to close the gun show loophole and require background checks on all purchasers at a gun show.    While you voiced your support for this issue in public and in private, to us and to other family members, your actions as Chairman of the Virginia State Crime Commission belied your words and revealed the truth: that you were not committed to our cause. 
 
            Even though the measure was first on the Crime Commission’s Meeting agenda on January 13, 2009, you purposely delayed the vote on the measure until Delegate Terry Kilgore was present – assuring that the measure would lose.
 
            Shortly thereafter, Lori Haas and Andrew Goddard came to your office with other family members to ask for your assistance with the legislation to require background checks at gun shows.  You told them, to their faces, to “just forget it”.
 
            Earlier this year, Greg Werkheiser helped Lori Haas share, in her own words, how you treated her and your record on the issue.  It is clear to us that despite your pledge to support us, you never intended to follow through.  It was all a façade and clearly a political maneuver to obtain more votes this fall.  Your recent mailer reinforced our belief when, like a typical politician, you used Lori’s words against your opponent.
 
            Your constituents deserve to know the truth. If anyone is guilty of exploiting the tragedy—a tragedy that all of us live with every day—it is you.
 
Sincerely,
 
Andrew Goddard                                                           
Father of Survivor Colin Goddard                       

Lori Haas                                                   
Mother of Survivor Emily Haas 

Peter Read, Lt. Col, USAF (Ret.)                                                   
Father of Victim Mary Read

Joe Samaha                                                   
Father of Victim Reema Samaha    

Omar Samaha                                                   
Brother of Victim Reema Samaha