[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 612 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
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116th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. RES. 612
Expressing the sense of the Senate that the tragic death of George
Floyd was unjust and the perpetrators must stand trial and be brought
to justice, the First Amendment of the Constitution guarantees
individuals the right to peaceably assemble and protest, groups like
Antifa and the individuals who took over peaceful protests with
violence, chaos, looting, and destruction should be held accountable
for their actions, the attacks on law enforcement, individuals, small
businesses, and communities are causing death, injury, and millions of
dollars in damage, the vast majority of men and women in law
enforcement work tirelessly and risk their lives to protect the people
of the United States without prejudice, police departments are the
cornerstone for maintaining a society of order, calls to defund the
police threaten the safety and security of the people of the United
States, Congress will continue to appropriate funding to local law
enforcement agencies that bolster police efforts, and the Nation must
come together in healing, reconciliation, and prayer to reaffirm that
every life is sacred, our society must strive for equality, and that we
will work to ensure a tragedy like George Floyd's never happens again
in the United States.
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IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
June 9, 2020
Mrs. Loeffler submitted the following resolution; which was referred to
the Committee on the Judiciary
_______________________________________________________________________
RESOLUTION
Expressing the sense of the Senate that the tragic death of George
Floyd was unjust and the perpetrators must stand trial and be brought
to justice, the First Amendment of the Constitution guarantees
individuals the right to peaceably assemble and protest, groups like
Antifa and the individuals who took over peaceful protests with
violence, chaos, looting, and destruction should be held accountable
for their actions, the attacks on law enforcement, individuals, small
businesses, and communities are causing death, injury, and millions of
dollars in damage, the vast majority of men and women in law
enforcement work tirelessly and risk their lives to protect the people
of the United States without prejudice, police departments are the
cornerstone for maintaining a society of order, calls to defund the
police threaten the safety and security of the people of the United
States, Congress will continue to appropriate funding to local law
enforcement agencies that bolster police efforts, and the Nation must
come together in healing, reconciliation, and prayer to reaffirm that
every life is sacred, our society must strive for equality, and that we
will work to ensure a tragedy like George Floyd's never happens again
in the United States.
Whereas, on Sunday, May 24, 2020, George Floyd of Minneapolis, Minnesota, was
tragically killed by police officers who were subsequently and
rightfully removed from their roles in serving the public, and were
arrested and charged in connection with Floyd's death;
Whereas the Senate finds that the rule of law in the United States is undermined
when law enforcement officers engage in conduct inconsistent with equal
treatment, justice, and the Constitution of the United States;
Whereas since the death of George Floyd, peaceful protests by thousands of
citizens exercising their First Amendment rights across the Nation have
taken place;
Whereas unfortunately in a number of cities, many individuals have used this
time of meaningful, peaceful protest and mourning to riot, loot
businesses, and burn police cars and churches;
Whereas radical organizations like Antifa have sadly used the death of George
Floyd to organize and sow violence in our communities and should be held
accountable;
Whereas radical protesters defaced the Department of Veterans Affairs
headquarters and the World War II Memorial, dishonoring the brave men
and women who have served in the Armed Services;
Whereas radical protesters defaced the Lincoln Memorial, the place where the
March on Washington began, that momentous occasion in the history of
civil rights;
Whereas radical protesters burned St. John's Church, a church that supported the
bold civil rights moment of the March on Washington;
Whereas these actions taken by radical protesters do not honor the legacy of
George Floyd nor further a rational cause, and those acting as violent
anarchists and the members of Antifa are taking advantage of the pain of
people and the pain of the peaceful protesters;
Whereas protests are a normal and healthy part of democracy, while acts of
violence, looting, and arson should not be tolerated;
Whereas in multiple cities, police and other law enforcement personnel have been
intentionally attacked, injured, and killed, and many voices are
radically calling to defund the police;
Whereas the vast majority of police officers do their job bravely and
righteously and are committed to ensuring that racism plays no part in
law enforcement and that everyone receives equal protection under the
law; and
Whereas the United States has a moral and constitutional obligation to protect
the life, liberty, and property of all individuals, including from abuse
from those we entrust to defend public safety and from domestic
terrorists and violent, anti-democratic activists: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That it is the sense of the Senate that it is the policy
of the United States--
(1) to commemorate the life of George Floyd through
official recognition and remembrance;
(2) that the First Amendment guarantees every individual
citizen the right to peacefully assemble and protest;
(3) to urge an immediate end to the violence leading to the
damage of lives and businesses across United States so that the
Nation can come together in healing, dialogue, reconciliation,
and prayer;
(4) to urge leaders at every level of government to examine
and enhance the training of law enforcement to ensure equal
treatment and protection under the law; and
(5) to urge States and local governments to provide the
funding and support necessary for law enforcement and first
responders to protect the life, liberty, and property of every
individual in the United States regardless of their race,
color, or nationality.
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