Editor:

The senseless tragedy we witnessed this week at the Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, S.C., is an indication that hate derived from racism is still a problem in the United States. We have made great strides in our country, but we still have a long way to go.On behalf of the Denver Republican Party, I’d like to extend my deepest condolences to the members of the congregation at Emanuel AME, as well as the members of their sister church here in Denver, The Shorter Community AME Church, and especially to their Pastor, Rev. Timothy Tyler, a personal friend of Pastor Clementa Pinkney. Reverend Pinkney was one of the nine victims of this brutal massacre.I would also like to extend my heartfelt appreciation to Rev. Tyler for his courage and grace in the face of this tragedy. Instead of allowing anger and resentment to take hold, he has brought the Denver community through this by advocating love, not division. Because of his leadership, the Denver community will find a way to heal without the rancor that has been the norm in the aftermath of other recent tragedies.

Thank you, Reverend Tyler, for allowing all of us the right to grieve this horrible tragedy.

Sue MooreChairman, Denver Republican Party