A young man stepped up and saved a lot of lives this week when he rushed one of the shooters who opened fire in his suburban Denver, Colo., school. His name was Kendrick Castillo.

Kendrick drew a statement of praise from former Labor Secretary Robert Reich, who posted this message on Facebook today:

Kendrick Castillo was killed yesterday when he tried to protect his fellow students during another school shooting. Castillo charged the gunman who entered his literature class, saving countless lives. He was just days away from graduating.

It is hard to imagine such bravery and selflessness from a teenager, especially when our leaders in Congress are so useless to stop the bloodshed in our schools. My heart is broken for Kendrick’s friends and family. We must recommit ourselves to making sure no more families have to live through such tragedy.

I believe Reich is being overly harsh when referencing teens. I trust he isn’t suggesting that today’s younger citizens are less brave or selfless than previous generations.

However, he is spot on when referencing the cowardice that our lawmakers exhibit by refusing to enact stronger sensible and constitutional efforts to “stop the bloodshed in our schools.”

Two suspects are in custody. One of them is a juvenile. The argument has begun about whether this individual should be tried as an adult. If I were King of the World, I would declare “Yes, by all means!”

As for Congress and whether there is a scintilla of courage in that body, I have given up hope.