President Bush offered condolences today to the family of Emily Keyes, who was killed last week at Platte Canyon High School in Bailey.

"A lot of Americans — and I know a lot of folks in Colorado — express our deepest sympathy to the folks in that good community about the tragic loss of Emily Keyes," Bush said during an appearance in Colorado at a fund-raiser for gubernatorial candidate Bob Beauprez. "She died one week ago of an unspeakable act of violence. It wasn't necessary.

"We join her family in prayer. We extend our deepest sympathies to those good people."

Bush said he has asked Attorney General Al Gonzales and Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings to convene a meeting of leading experts and officials to determine how the federal government can help state and local folks deal with school shootings.

"We want to make it certain around the country that the schoolhouse is a safe place for children to learn," the president said. "And so I'm looking forward to the results of that meeting of how we can facilitate help, and how we can help these communities heal and recover from the tragic events; like those that have taken place in three states over the past couple of weeks.

"May God bless Emily's family."