This is a partial transcript from “Hannity & Colmes,” March 14, 2005, that has been edited for clarity.
SEAN HANNITY, CO-HOST: Welcome back to “Hannity & Colmes.” Tonight we have the second part of my exclusive interview with Elizabeth Smart and her father Ed. They traveled to Washington, D.C., to fight for better sex offender legislation.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
HANNITY: To help you cope during that difficult period, how did you cope? Did you think of your family? What — how did you get through that time?
ELIZABETH SMART, SURVIVED KIDNAPPING: You know, my parents, the way they brought me up, the LDS faith, and, you know, I am so thankful. That helped me so much, and because ever since I was a little tiny girl, my dad would come in and say, “OK, Elizabeth, let’s say your private prayers.” He’d kneel down next to me and I would pray.
And so even though he wasn’t there to come and kneel down next to me, I kept praying, and there wasn’t a day that didn’t go by that I didn’t think of my family. And I didn’t know when I would see them again, but I knew that I would see them again one day and that, you know, we would be a family forever.
HANNITY: Do you want to know what happened?
ED SMART, FATHER: I don’t need to know. You know, I know enough, and that’s more than enough to me. I think to be able to have her back in our family, to be whole, to feel so blessed when there’s so many — in fact, I think that’s the point of this legislation that is so very important — is that there are all these families out there that are struggling with the loss of a child or they’re still in that stage of not knowing and how difficult that is and to feel so blessed that, you know, if you could ever ask for a miracle in your life you got it. It’s just…
HANNITY: Ed Smart, really, when you put things in perspective, you don’t have a bad day anymore?
ED SMART: I don’t. No.
HANNITY: In the overall — I want to talk about one day in particular. It’s the day after nine long months that you got reunited with your dad. Tell us about that day.
ELIZABETH SMART: You know, it was such a great day. And I was so happy to see my family. And you know, when I got to the police station they’re like, oh, you can’t see your family yet. And it was the best thing to just come into the room and just have my mom come and, like, sweep me up in a big hug and then all my brothers and just — and my little sister, you know, it was just truly the greatest moment of my life.
HANNITY: Could you — what was it like — you’re tearing up. I know how you feel.
ED SMART: You know, it was — I remember seeing her on that sofa and just thinking, you know, dear Lord…
HANNITY: Miracles happen.
ED SMART: Yes. Is that really her?
HANNITY: Can you look at the picture of her from that day, covered? Did you ever see that picture?
ELIZABETH SMART: Yes.
HANNITY: When you think of that, what do you think of?
ELIZABETH SMART: I try not to think of it.
HANNITY: Last question, the House of Representatives passed it, battling in the Senate. What could people do to help you and John Walsh and your daughter and help other children that this never happens?
ED SMART: I think if everyone would get on the phone or e-mail their senators, let them know that they want them to represent them. I mean, senators are there to represent us. And if they do that, you know, it will help push the program through.
And we’re really hoping that on May 25, Missing Children’s Day, that this will be enacted and it would be a great blessing to so many. I want to thank Jim Sensenbrenner for pushing it through in the House. And all the efforts of the…
HANNITY: The House leadership.
ED SMART: Absolutely. Senator Hatch has been wonderful. And, you know, this is something that we’re all in together. It should be bipartisan. Everyone cares about their children, and that’s what this bill is all about.
HANNITY: It is really a pleasure to have you here. It really is. I was so glad you’re here. And I know our audience is glad to see you, too. Thank you for being with us. Thank you for stopping by. Thanks for sharing all that with us.
ELIZABETH SMART: Thank you.
HANNITY: Thanks. Ed, it’s always good to see you.
ED SMART: Thank you.
HANNITY: Thank you, my friend.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
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