[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 87 (Thursday, June 13, 1996)]
[House]
[Pages H6393-H6399]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                             GENERAL LEAVE

  Mrs. CLAYTON. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their 
remarks on House Concurrent Resolution 187.
  THe SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from North Carolina?
  There was no objection.
  Mrs. CLAYTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished 
gentlewoman from Connecticut, [Mrs. DeLauro].
  Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I congratulate my colleague, Mrs. Clayton, 
on this resolution. I rise in strong support of the resolution.
  I stand with my colleagues tonight to voice my outrage and 
condemnation of these church arson. As towns and neighborhoods begin 
that process of healing and rebuilding, it is imperative that we send a 
loud and a clear and a firm message to the perpetrators of these sick 
crimes that Americans will not tolerate bigotry or hate crimes.

                              {time}  2145

  The perpetrators must and will be punished. History teaches us that 
we all have a stake in the battle against the forces of hatred. We 
cannot stand and be silent. We must speak louder than the voices of 
hate. Those voices encourage violence and have resulted in the 
destruction of churches, churches built on faith, on hope, and on love.
  I am proud to join my colleagues today in support of this resolution 
and urge its adoption. Further, I urge my colleagues to call on others 
to go to their districts, to speak out against the voices and the 
actions of hatred in this country. It is only through such acts that we 
can prevent further violence and destruction.
  Mr. WATTS of Oklahoma. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the 
gentleman from Maine [Mr. Longley].
  Mr. LONGLEY. Mr. Speaker, I want to compliment the gentleman from 
Oklahoma and the gentlewoman from North Carolina for bringing this 
resolution to the floor. As a Representative from the State of Maine, I 
want to add my voice to the national chorus that denounces these 
instances of religious and racial hatred. I ask unanimous support for 
this resolution that we offer tonight.
  Mrs. CLAYTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished 
gentleman from Texas [Mr. Doggett].
  Mr. DOGGETT. Mr. Speaker, I commend and thank the gentlewoman from 
North Carolina [Mrs. Clayton] and all of those who have joined with her 
for her leadership in expressing our collective outrage at what has 
been occurring in communities across this country. Now is the time for 
people of good will regardless of religion or their political 
persuasion or their region of the country to join together to condemn 
the outrage that has occurred and the attempt at intimidation steeped 
in hate on which it is based.
  It is not enough merely to condemn. For while we are all outraged by 
what has occurred, we know that simply expressing our fury through 
resolution is only a first step. It is time to match our actions with 
our words and resolutions. So it is extremely important that the Church 
Arsons Prevention Act introduced by our colleague, the gentleman from 
Michigan [Mr. Conyers], that would strengthen our ability to fight this 
kind of arson, be enacted at the earliest possible date in this 
Congress.
  We should move forward on this legislation to halt attacks on our 
communities. Our communities are suffering, and they should look to our 
national leaders with confidence, for we have the responsibility to 
prove, as Barbara Jordan would say, that America is as good as its 
promise. In keeping this promise, we can be inspired by the 
congregations who refuse to be intimidated.
  Mr. WATTS of Oklahoma. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the 
gentleman from Iowa [Mr. Lightfoot].
  (Mr. LIGHTFOOT asked and was given permission to revise and extend 
his remarks.)
  Mr. LIGHTFOOT. Mr. Speaker, I join my colleagues here and rise in 
strong support of this resolution. Since we have a limited amount of 
time, I would like to briefly comment on one aspect of this resolution, 
and that is Congress' full support of Federal, State and local law 
enforcement investigations.

[[Page H6394]]

  We are going to do more than offer just words. As chairman of the 
subcommittee in charge of ATF's appropriation, I will be introducing 
supplemental legislation next week as part of the fiscal year 1997 
Treasury appropriations bill to provide $12 million in additional 
resources right here and right now. In addition, we will continue our 
commitment to solving these church fires with an additional $12 million 
for fiscal year 1997, a total of $24 million. If that does not do it, 
we will come back for some more.
  This money will go toward the basics of law enforcement, overtime, 
travel offices, phones, rewards, money, and equipment. This will allow 
the establishment of full-blown church fire task forces, not just the 
high level discussions that the administration has been hosting but 
real offices in the States where these churches are being burned, 
agents answering calls and gathering evidence.
  I have every confidence that we will be able to solve these crimes. 
ATF investigators have a world class reputation in arson investigation. 
They have been called in on challenging cases all around the world. 
They solved the World Trade Center bombing. They found the evidence 
that led to the arrest of the people who perpetrated the bombing in 
Oklahoma City. They unraveled the pipe bombings and mail bombings in 
the Southeastern United States of the judges several years ago. 
Interestingly enough, Louis Freeh, who is now head of the FBI, was a 
prosecutor. They brought them to trial. If we look back at 1992, when 
we had a series of church bombings, all but one of those crimes has 
been solved.
  So I would say tonight to whoever is the perpetrator of these crimes, 
whatever their motives might be, because they have to be less than 
human, we are setting on your trail. If you are watching out there 
tonight, the world's premier arson investigators, they are going to 
find you. They are going to collect the evidence. They are going to 
collect it correctly and they are going to take you to jail. Then 
hopefully through the trial process you will prosecuted and punished to 
the full extent of the law.
  I think that is one thing that we can do. I think it is an obligation 
that we have to everyone in this country. It does not make any 
difference whether we are black or white or brown or whatever the color 
of our skin, Republicans, Democrats or not, when you start to attack 
anyone's house of worship, that is an attack on God. I think all of us 
rise up as brothers and sisters and revile that kind of activity. I 
think we have an obligation and a duty to find that these people are 
found, prosecuted adequately punished. We make that commitment here 
tonight to do that.
  I compliment my two friends for offering this resolution.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Jones). The Chair reminds Members to 
please address their remarks to the Chair.
  Mrs. CLAYTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the 
distinguished gentleman from Georgia [Mr. Lewis].
  Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentlewoman 
from North Carolina and the gentleman from Oklahoma for bringing this 
resolution before us.
  The church has long been the heartbeat, they very soul of the black 
community. In the 1960's, those who opposed the civil rights movement 
recognized that strength. Our churches were burned. looted and burned. 
Our holy places were no longer a place of sanctuary but a target of 
those who preached hate, division and intolerance. Today, despite the 
progress we made as a Nation and as a people, history is repeating 
itself. In the ashes, of these churches are the hopes and dreams of the 
African-American community, justice, equality and simple acceptance. 
The fires that destroyed these churches are fueled not only by gasoline 
and matches but also by hated and intolerance and bigotry. There is a 
conspiracy, a conspiracy of intolerance.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues tonight to vote for this 
resolution and send a strong message to this Nation that we will build 
a sense of community. Let us use this occasion, let us use this 
resolution not to divide but to bring together. Bring us all together, 
not to tear down but to uplift. Let us speak tonight with one mighty 
voice. We must use our outrage to rededicate ourselves to building Dr. 
King's beloved community, a Nation in which we all are judged not by 
the color of our skin but by the content of our character.

  Mr. WATTS of Oklahoma. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the 
gentleman from Arizona [Mr. Hayworth].
  Mr. HAYWORTH. Mr. Speaker, I would commend my colleagues from North 
Carolina and from Oklahoma for drafting and presenting this resolution 
this evening.
  Mr. Speaker, what type of person, what type of twisted, sick mind 
would choose to launch an attack on a house of worship, no matter its 
denomination, no matter the people who choose to worship there?
  Tonight, as my colleague from Georgia who preceded me in the well 
noted, it is time to come together. We often have spirited and 
contentious debate in this Chamber. Indeed, we champion that right to 
freely express differences of opinion honestly held. But tonight, Mr. 
Speaker, the call for all Americans should be, let us unite against 
those who would seek to deprive us of our most fundamental freedom, the 
freedom to worship individually or corporately according to the 
dictates of our own conscience.
  Questions of motives, indeed veiled references, if you will, to one 
political philosophy or another really have no place in this debate. 
Indeed, even as we could attack or isolate one form of communication, 
we could also point to the growing secularization of America and 
hostility toward churches and people of faith.
  Let us come together, Mr. Speaker, tonight, resolute in the knowledge 
that all these actions taken against any house of worship are blatantly 
wrong, and this Congress will work to stop it.
  Mrs. CLAYTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished 
gentleman from Alabama [Mr. Hilliard].
  Mr. HILLIARD. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to 
congratulate the gentlewoman from North Carolina for organizing this. 
It is very important.
  I also would like to thank everyone who has been involved. I 
certainly hope that we will all vote in favor of the resolution so that 
we will have an opportunity to support the bill if it comes forth.
  I would like to use just one-half of my minute to say that I had a 
very sad meeting on Monday of this week. I spoke to four ministers; 
each one of their churches had been set ablaze. There have been nine 
burnings in my district, more than any other congressional district. 
But one of the things that must be said here, not one of those 
ministers was satisfied with the efforts of the FBI and the ATF. In 
fact, it is a fact that the FBI and the ATF had mixed a voter fraud 
case with the church fire investigations causing conflict and 
intimidating members of those congregations. If they are sincere, if 
they wish to pursue the evidence on the fire, the fires that have been 
set, they must separate those cases.
  Mr. WATTS of Oklahoma. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the 
gentleman from Texas [Mr. Stockman].
  Mr. STOCKMAN. Mr. Speaker, I would like to comment a little bit about 
this resolution. It is quite personal because in my district, they 
burned down a church, a little church on Galveston Island. Pastor Booth 
to this day has not been able to rebuilds that church. He did not get 
much recognition, and he did not get much talked about because it was 
not fashionable at that point to talk about burning churches. But that 
church is still struggling to recoup from that terrible burning.
  Right now Pastor Booth has got the foundation laid, and he is trying 
to put up the sides of the church. They burnt that church down, that 
beautiful town of Galveston where the breezes come across and you see 
the sandy beaches and everything. But right there in that town in which 
you would think that there would be no hatred, there was hatred. They 
burnt down the church. For what reason? I do not know. But I ask 
Members that the people of America as they are watching this debate to 
pray and hold out their heart towards their saviour and their Christ 
that they may put an end to this burning, because this is not something 
that our country

[[Page H6395]]

should have or should even have to be discussing.

                              {time}  2200

  In fact, if anything, it is disgusting that we have to talk about 
this, and I tell my colleagues as a member of First Bethel Church of 
Houston, I have a deep, abiding faith, and I believe that out of this 
there will be good that will come of it because I believe the American 
people, whether Democrat or Republican, they are honest and courageous 
and have basic faith in principles, in American principles which unite 
us in this tragedy, and once again I would like to offer up a prayer to 
Pastor Booth as he rebuilds his church down there in Galveston.
  Mrs. CLAYTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished 
gentlewoman from Texas [Ms. Jackson-Lee].
  (Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas asked and was given permission to revise 
and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, just a few short months ago I 
visited Bosnia, and Sarajevo as the city was one that stuck in my mind, 
stuck in my mind because in viewing that city what I saw most of all 
and what the people wanted to show me was the devastation and the 
destruction of their houses of worship. But one difference is: They 
were at war. It is tragic to now come home to America and see across 
this Nation symbols of war, people attacking churches, African-American 
churches, churches on the basis of hatred and dislike for someone else.
  But, thank God, I recognize that churches are not just wood and 
stone, that we must give back the right of the people to worship in a 
constitutionally free society.
  So it is important that I thank the gentlewoman from North Carolina 
for her leadership, for bringing us together, along with the gentleman 
from Oklahoma, that although we can rise and begin to articulate all of 
the efforts that we are making, and I applaud those efforts, that we 
must do more, and that must be to call for a week of prayer that will 
allow us to insure that we do bring America together from June 16 to 
June 23. And I thank the gentlewoman and gentleman for allowing this 
language to go in:

       A national week of prayer that we may bond together to tell 
     Americans who may think to do these dastardly acts that we 
     will stand up against it and provide a safe and free place 
     for all of America to be free in their houses of worship.

  Mr. WATT of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the 
gentleman from Illinois [Mr. Weller].
  (Mr. WELLER asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. WELLER. Mr. Speaker, I wish to commend my friend from Oklahoma 
and my friend from North Carolina for their leadership and their 
bipartisanship, the bipartisan spirit of this so very important 
resolution.
  This past Sunday I joined with a multidenominational organization 
called Jacob in one of the largest cities in my district, the city of 
Joliette, and Jacob is an organization representing the churches, black 
and white, Hispanic, Mexican, multidenominational. We all joined 
together, and we marched across the city of Joliette. Republican 
elected officials were part of the march, Democrat elected officials 
were part of the march, church leaders were part of the march, and 
church members were part of the march. And this march, frankly, was a 
response to an outrage that occurred locally in the community of 
Joliette, IL, and that was where a newly established church which had 
located on the west side of Joliette, a newly established church which 
was majority African-American, had been vandalized.
  Mr. Speaker, we made very clear in our statement that there is no 
room for racism, there is no room for bigotry, there is no room for 
anti-Semitism in our community.
  That is the spirit of this resolution, and I ask for unanimous 
support.
  Mrs. CLAYTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished 
gentlewoman from Illinois [Mrs. Collins].
  (Mrs. COLLINS of Illinois asked and was given permission to revise 
and extend her remarks.)
  Mrs. COLLINS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, let me, too, add my 
appreciation to the gentleman from Oklahoma and to the gentlewoman from 
North Carolina for bringing this issue up at this time, and I rise to 
speak of the shameful desecration of our Nation's African-American 
churches.
  Mr. Speaker, as my colleagues know, these fires are burning our 
sacred edifices and fanning the flames of racial intolerance, but they 
are also burning the U.S. Constitution. All of us have a right to 
freely worship, something on which our very Constitution was built, and 
my colleagues know I am glad my colleague from Illinois happened to 
have mentioned that church burnings and desecration and vandalism are 
not just happening in the South, they are happening all across this 
land. As he pointed out so eloquently, right outside of Chicago, IL, 
there have been churches, one newly purchased by an African-American 
Baptist group, that had the side of its walls spray painted with the n 
word twice already, twice already in less time than a month.
  It just seems to me that we ought to be very careful about these 
kinds of things because my colleagues know they hurt.
  When I go to church on Sundays and put on my choir robe and sing 
praise to my God, I want to feel that my church is going to be there 
the next time I want to go there and worship. I certainly hope that 
will be the case in the future.
  Mr. WATT of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my 
time.
  Mrs. CLAYTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished 
gentleman from Alabama [Mr. Browder].
  Mr. BROWDER. Mr. Speaker, I commend our friend from North Carolina 
and our friend from Oklahoma for bringing this resolution to the floor.
  Mr. Speaker, about a month ago I had the opportunity to visit that 
church on 16th in Birmingham, AL, where several young women lost their 
lives. It is a beautiful place, and my colleagues would not know the 
horror unless they open a closet or look in the basement and see the 
cracked foundations.
  We are here tonight, the good people of Alabama and all across this 
country to say no, no, we will not go back to those days and we will 
not put up with anybody burning our churches.
  Mrs. CLAYTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished 
gentlewoman from Michigan [Ms. Rivers].
  Ms. RIVERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this resolution and in 
the condemnation of the tidal wave of racism and hatred that is 
threating America's African-American churches.
  I was a child in the 1960's, and in front of our family's big 
television set I watched in wide-eyed silence as fire hoses were turned 
on young black men asking only to be treated as real citizens, as 
vicious dogs attacked African-American women and their children, as 
little African-American girls, barely older than I was at the time, 
were killed in a cowardly attack on the church where they worshipped.
  Today I am no longer a child, and I will no longer watch in silence 
as the African-American community suffers under the last of bigotry. 
Today I join the chorus of voices from all across this country, people 
of conscience, people from all regions, and all religions, all races, 
who are speaking out against the cowardly forces of hate and for a 
nation where all are valued and protected.
  Mrs. CLAYTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished 
gentleman from Florida [Mr. Gibbons], the ranking member of the 
Committee on Ways and Means.
  Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, I commend the sponsors of this resolution, 
and I condemn the perpetrators of the crime of burning churches and 
promoting disharmony in our country. But, Mr. Speaker, some good is 
going to flow from all of this, as perverse as that might be. America 
will have better arson laws than we have now. America will have better 
law enforcement in the field of arson than we have now. And if the 
perpetrators of these crimes are trying to drive the races apart, they 
have made a terrible mistake because whites and blacks will join 
together in greater unity in this adversity.
  There can be no more cowardly and, I think, ineffective crime than 
burning churches. The history of mankind is that you can never succeed 
in persecuting anybody based upon their belief.

[[Page H6396]]

  I do not know what the motives of these people are, but they are 
bound to fail, and I believe that failure will bring America closer 
together.
  Mrs. CLAYTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished 
gentlewoman from Florida [Mrs. Meek]
  (Mrs. MEEK of Florida asked and was given permission to revise and 
extend her remarks.)
  Mrs. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, first of all I want the Congress 
and the world to know that we are grateful to the gentlewoman from 
North Carolina [Mrs. Clayton] and the gentleman from Oklahoma [Mr. 
Watts], a sister and brother of mine who have brought this resolution 
in front of the Congress.
  The church burnings are despicable acts, and they are very outrageous 
as well, perpetrated by these people who crawl on their bellies in our 
society. It is a very small segment of our society representing these 
burnings.
  I also want to commend the President of the United States, who went 
to lend his sympathy to the people who were churchgoers from these 
churches.
  We need leadership at all levels, I think, both the Republicans and 
the Democrats in the Congress, because the churches of this country, 
they do not lean on parties, they lean on God, and it so important that 
we solve it in this resolution.
  We cannot say with all confidence that these burnings will stop. We 
hope that they will. I think the people who have come out with fresh 
and adventuresome initiatives want to be sure that these things do not 
happen again. But we cannot say with all confidence because we know 
prior history shows us that it is not beyond them.
  Peter, one of Christ's disciples, said: ``Upon this rock I build my 
church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.''
  Let us pass this resolution.
  Mrs. CLAYTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished 
gentleman from Ohio [Mr. Sawyer].
  (Mr. SAWYER asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. SAWYER. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank our colleagues and join with 
all who have expressed the gratitude of Members of this body to the 
gentlewoman from North Carolina and the gentleman from Oklahoma for 
their initiative in bringing this before us and to join with so many 
others this evening in sharing our dismay at the events that have 
spread across this Nation in recent weeks.
  I particularly want to thank those congregations that have opened 
their doors to those who have lost for now their places of worship and 
to call upon congregations everywhere across this country this weekend 
and in coming weeks to join together in sharing their diverse 
traditions of worship with other congregations in their community 
symbolically to join together with those who share these podiums 
tonight and to let the word go forth from every pulpit and pew in this 
Nation, with voices joined together, to say that there is a message 
that binds us altogether:
  That in the United States of America there is no tolerance of 
intimidation and no license for hatred.
  Mrs. CLAYTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished 
gentleman from Washington [Mr. McDermott].
  (Mr. McDERMOTT asked and was given permission to revise and extend 
his remarks.)
  Mr. McDERMOTT. Mr. Speaker, I want to commend my colleagues for 
bringing this resolution. The gentleman from Ohio [Mr. Sawyer] and I 
were in the car starting home, and he said to me, ``Should we go and 
say something?'' And I said yes, because I thought of Dietrich 
Bonhoffer, who was a Lutheran minister in Nazi Germany, who, when they 
came, he said:

       When they came for the trade unionists, I did not speak up; 
     when they came for the Catholics, I did not speak up; when 
     they came for the Jews, I did not speak up. When they came 
     for me, there was nobody left.

  If we do not speak up for each other, none of us are free in this 
country.

                              {time}  2215

  Mrs. CLAYTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished 
gentleman from Georgia [Mr. Bishop].
  Mr. BISHOP. Mr. Speaker, I grew up in an America where young people 
were taught the love of God and country, values and character and 
integrity, to be trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, 
kind, obedient, and reverent; an America where hats were removed when a 
funeral procession came down the street and all movement ceased; where 
a church ground was sacred and where the sanctuary was treated with 
reverence. My, how America has changed.
  Almost 2,000 years ago Jesus said, upon this rock I will build my 
church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Well, I am 
happy to say that that was true then and it is true now.
  Mr. Speaker, I am happy to join with my colleagues on both sides of 
the aisle here tonight to join in one voice, the voice of brotherhood, 
to say that in this House, in this country, people of goodwill all 
across this Nation are expressing today and tonight their outrage at 
what has happened, but more importantly, we are exerting our prayers 
all across this Nation for those poor souls who are responsible for 
this dastardly conduct.
  I support my colleagues and this resolution, and God bless America.
  Mrs. CLAYTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from the 
great State of Oregon [Mr. Blumenauer] a new Member of Congress.
  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, I am saddened that my first appearance 
before this body is on the occasion of such a hateful event. I think we 
all had hoped that this was behind us. But I am heartened by the 
attitude and tone of love and reconciliation that one hears this 
evening.
  I find I must join with the words of my colleague from Georgia. We 
pray that we are aware of this terror as we go about our business, 
remembering the power of words and the power of reconciliation, because 
I think if we remember this somber, yet hopeful moment, as we go about 
the rest of our business on behalf of the people, that this hateful act 
of racial intolerance and bigotry will help us do our job better for 
the American people.
  Mrs. CLAYTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania [Mr. Fox].
  Mr. FOX of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for her 
leadership and that of the gentleman from Oklahoma [Mr. Watts] for 
their help and leadership on this very important presentation tonight, 
and I think the American people have come together in total horror 
about the recent church burnings. We are taking action here tonight to 
show the outrage of Congress that this has occurred and to take 
positive action.
  This afternoon there was a presentation by our colleagues, in working 
with the insurance companies to make sure that we assist these churches 
with fire prevention programs and work with our fire caucus in making 
sure that this does not occur, and legislation that is going to 
increase the penalty for arson, and most of us, to bring about the 
inspirational setting of Republicans and Democrats working together, 
the African-American community and the white community and the Hispanic 
community in all parts of this country working together, brothers and 
sisters, to make sure that this kind of bigotry and hatred is ended. I 
thank again both of these Congress people for bringing this issue 
forward and to make sure that we take positive action.
  Mrs. CLAYTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from 
Wyoming [Mrs. Cubin].
  Mrs. CUBIN. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the gentlewoman for 
yielding this time to me.
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud to be here this evening to speak on this 
issue. I think that every time that there is a problem in our country, 
we pull together as Americans. We have won two world wars, we have put 
a man on the Moon. We have the best health care system in the world. 
When we need a neighbor, when we need a friend, Americans are always 
there to pull together to help one another. I am grateful that we have 
the opportunity to speak on this issue tonight. We will not accept, in 
no way, this sort of behavior. I think we should use every effort and 
every resource we have to try to find the people that are responsible 
for this and bring them to justice.
  Every cloud has a silver lining, and the conciliatory tone of this 
Congress this evening is heartwarming, and I

[[Page H6397]]

hope the people across the country can feel the sentiment that we feel 
here this evening.
  Mrs. CLAYTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from 
Florida [Ms. Brown].
  Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, freedom if religion and freedom of 
speech are the two most precious rights in our American society. 
Implicit in our freedom to worship the God of our choice is the freedom 
to worship without fear. It is a very sad day when the right to worship 
without fear has been jeopardized by the unconscionable torching of 
houses of worship.
  I am pleased to join my colleagues in strongly supporting H.R. 3525. 
However, as much as we try through legislation to stop the fires, the 
most important change must come in the hearts of those who hate. I just 
have a message for those out there: Remember what you plant will come 
back to you. I do believe that there is a God, and you are creating a 
fire here, but know that there is going to be a great day, and that 
fire will burn eternal.
  Mrs. CLAYTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
  Mr. Speaker, the recent rash of burnings of African-American churches 
has cut a swath of destruction across this Nation and has called into 
question America's will to resist racism.
  The President has responded swiftly, outlining a four point plan of 
action and today, in a strong demonstration of will, travelling to 
South Carolina, one of the burning sites.
  It is now time for Congress to stand up. It is now time for Congress 
to speak out. It is now time for Congress to act.
  One of the most important things Congress can do is to let our voices 
be heard. Sometimes silence is viewed as acceptance.
  Sometimes no position is regarded as a position.
  Sometimes failure to act is tantamount to acting.
  Indeed, many believe that the growing divisions and racial strife in 
America today is due, at least in some part, to the divisions and 
strife that have been evident among this Nation's leaders.
  But, despite our differences on politics and policy and party and 
despite the fact that we have had deep disagreements during our 
deliberations and debate, I believe this Congress and my colleagues 
will stand together to resist racism.
  The fact that those who have done these wicked deeds have chosen to 
do them to houses of worship--the very places we hold most dear and 
most precious, leaves no doubt in my mind that good will come from this 
evil.
  Our churches, our synagogues, and our mosques have always been places 
of peace and sanctuary, a welcome retreat and shelter from the problems 
and difficulties outside.
  But, for the past 6 years, African-American churches have been 
targets for arson, places of anguish, unsuspecting victims of a pattern 
and practice of violence.
  Assistant Attorney General Deval Patrick has referred to these acts 
as an ``Epidemic of Terror.''
  And, while there is no evidence of conspiracy, it is strangely 
coincidental that more than 50 African-American churches have been 
burned during the 1990's, with 32 of those burnings occurring in 1995 
alone.
  On average, Mr. Speaker, two African-American church fires have taken 
place each month, over the past 18 months. Since late Friday, four 
churches have been victims of suspicious fires.
  If this is not an ``Epidemic of Terror,'' it is certainly a situation 
that is far too extensive to be ignored.
  Prior to today's church burning in Oklahoma most of these fires have 
been concentrated in nine Southern States, including Alabama, 
Mississippi, Tennessee, Georgia, Louisiana, South Carolina, North 
Carolina, Texas and Virginia.
  The investigation of the fires has been difficult.
  Nearly all of them have taken place in rural and remote areas, during 
late night or early morning hours.
  There have been few if any witnesses, and the fires have generally 
not been discovered until the churches have burned to the ground, 
leaving little evidence for law enforcement.
  The President's response has been strong and forceful.
  He has outlined a four step plan that has been put in place in 
response to these acts.
  The private sector has also stepped forward.
  For example, NationsBank in my State of North Carolina has offered a 
half million dollar reward for information leading to the arrest and 
conviction of the person or persons responsible for the recent church 
fire in Charlotte.
  It is now time for the Congress to step forward.
  It is time now for Congress to be heard. First, we should all support 
the bipartisan legislation introduced by our colleagues, Mr. Conyers 
and Mr. Hyde.
  That legislation would make it easier to bring prosecutions and 
stiffen the penalties against those who target houses of worship.
  I would urge support for House Concurrent Resolution 188, a 
resolution I have introduced that now has more than 100 bipartisan 
cosponsors, expressing the collective outrage of Congress and 
denouncing these acts of arson.
  We condemn the burnings, pledge to assist law enforcement, support 
the Conyers and Hyde legislation and appeal for broad community 
preventive action.
  And, finally we should all, work within our respective communities to 
help prevent future arson.
  These acts of hate that have wounded our souls have inspired acts of 
love that have renewed our faith.
  Across the country, volunteers have stepped forward to help rebuild 
the burned churches.
  I was especially moved by the story of Rev. Terrence Mackey, who 
awakened one morning to a spot in a field where this church had stood 
and said to his daughter ``They didn't burn down the church. They 
burned down the building in which we hold the church. The church is 
still inside all of us.''
  Fittingly, on June 15, Reverend Mackey, his daughter, the 
congregation and friends will undertake a symbolic march from the 
scorched earth site of the old church in Greeleyville, SC, to the 
pristine site of their new church.
  House Concurrent Resolution 188 also recognizes June 15 as a day when 
all members can join with Reverend Mackey, his daughter, his 
congregation and others, in whatever gesture is deemed appropriate, to 
say to those who would promote evil, that you have burned our churches, 
but you can not burn our spirit.
  Mr. Speaker, There is a time to be silent and a time to speak. With 
these burnings, this is a time to speak.
  I urge every Member to speak out against these church burnings in 
their communities. And, I urge every citizen to resist this racism.
  These acts do not represent America, and we must demonstrate to the 
world the true spirit of our great Nation.

                              {time}  2230

  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. WATTS of Oklahoma. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my 
time.
  Mr. Speaker, I came here this evening with the gentlewoman from North 
Carolina [Mrs. Clayton] and the rest of my colleagues on both sides of 
the aisle to introduce a House concurrent resolution addressing a 
serious crime called arson, and more specifically the recent horrifying 
crime of arson used to destroy more than 30 black churches around the 
country, over the last 16 or 18 months, including a church that burned 
last night in my home State of Oklahoma, where arson activity is 
suspected. My sympathies and condolences go out to those affected by 
these senseless and tragic deeds.
  In Eufaula, OK, where I grew up, our church was the heart and soul of 
our small community. It was a symbol of hope and faith, of pride and 
serenity. The church is where we would all gather to rejoice in 
celebration and pray in times of sorrow. It was the cornerstone of our 
community and it is a special place that holds some of my dearest 
memories.
  This atmosphere is not unique to me. American should be a country of 
faith and community. There are thousands of cities who see their church 
as the fabric of strength in their community. It is inconceivable to me 
that anyone would try to destroy this very fabric that provides the 
identity and life for a

[[Page H6398]]

community simply out of hate and ignorance.

  By setting churches on fire, not only are these vandals attempting to 
destroy the house of a community, they are destroying the house of God. 
This is one of the most horrific crimes a person can commit.
  As a man who has been brought up with faith in God and faith in 
justice, I call upon our judicial system to take action against these 
terrible violations of liberty. We cannot sit idle and tolerate these 
acts of hate. We cannot watch these criminals continue to torch any 
more sanctuaries of faith.
  It is my hope that the proper authorities--the Justice Department, 
the Attorney General, and State and local officials--will move swiftly 
to investigate and stop these vicious crimes. I think Martin Luther 
King, Jr.'s words still hold true today when he said, ``A threat to 
justice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.'' These burnings 
are a serious threat to justice and will lead to more perilous 
consequences if justice is not served. This country has worked too hard 
to heal the wounds of racial divide to allow ignorant individuals to 
once again divide us in our communities.
  There is no excuse for the lack of commitment dedicated to serving 
justice and finding the individuals responsible for these arson 
activities. I commend groups like the Christian Coalition for efforts 
to help find the culprits, and I challenge other organizations, 
citizens as well as elected officials to help fight this battle.
  Fire spreads fast and furious, and once it is out of control, we may 
not possess the means to contain if. It we do not insist that justice 
is served, the fire of hate and ignorance will continue to burn and 
spread, reducing all we have strived for to ashes of despair.
  We need to extinguish these fires and reignite the fires of faith. 
These affected communities are not letting the fires burn down the 
foundation and fabric of their community. They will rebuild and show an 
unwavering strength of faith. The victims of these church burnings are 
not letting the vandals win, and we cannot allow them to win either. It 
is our obligation to do all that we can to see that justice is served 
and that the people responsible for these crimes are caught and 
punished.
  Beginning with the times back in Eufaula, OK, and even more as a 
minister, when I have needed strength and guidance, I have turned to my 
church and to my God. I cannot imagine not having a church to turn to. 
These burnings represent more than arson activity. The burnings 
represent a violation of basic rights and basic freedoms. I have always 
enjoyed the freedom to practice my religion in a place I feel safe. 
That is a right the Constitution provides to me. It is my hope that we 
will not deny that right to anyone, and that justice will suffocate the 
fires of hate and continue to kindle the torch of liberty, as we 
provide justice for all.
  Mr. ROEMER, Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to be a cosponsor of House 
Concurrent Resolution 187, a measure to condemn the sinister and 
hateful arson plaguing African-American churches in our Nation. This is 
a national shame that such activity could continue in this day and age, 
and deserves a national and immediate response.
  That someone, anyone, could attack a House of God is unforgivable. 
Our churches, our synagogues, our temples, are not just houses of 
worship, but symbols of our commitment to understanding and tolerance. 
Understanding of our mission in this great Nation under God, and our 
tolerance of our wonderful diversity. These attacks on our present 
truly mar our past, where in recent times we have worked so hard to 
grow in acceptance and understanding. In so many ways, we have all come 
to know and understand and appreciate one another. Of course, we have a 
long way to go.
  But we should not--and will not--tolerate the hateful acts of those 
who would pull us backward, destroy our hard-won progress, and elevate 
their own base and evil feelings into an otherwise enlightened 
progress. Yes, we have far to go, but we will never go back.
  Mr. Speaker, this resolution is a start. It is a step on the path to 
healing. But it also lays upon us a commitment. This commitment is to 
realize that the fight against racism, against bigotry, against hatred, 
is still very much needed and very much ours, because the world is far 
from perfect. When even our houses of worship are targets of those who 
would oppose peace and fairness in society, then we must truly be on 
our guard, physically and spiritually.
  We can surely fight these heinous acts with the full weight of the 
law, and we surely should. But we must also fight them with the spirit, 
knowing that the love of God unites us all. And even as we celebrate 
the blessings that God gives us in this great Nation, we must always be 
diligent in fighting those who would rob us of those gifts.
  Mr. Speaker, the evils of those whose hatred has conquered their 
spirit must not be allowed to conquer our spirit, and may this 
resolution be a beginning in our demonstration that love and 
brotherhood will conquer all. In the end, justice must and will reign, 
and those that tear down the House of God, no matter what the color of 
the person that worships within, will find that mercy will drown their 
hatred.
  Mr. Franks of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, I and a great number of my 
colleagues are understandably alarmed by the rash of intentionally-set 
church fires--many of those of African-American congregations--which 
have been occurring in the United States, particularly in the 
Southeast.
  We have seen the lamentable pictures and images on the television 
news, Mr. Speaker. The parishioners wandering about the charred ruins 
of what used to be their church. Reverends and deacons wondering aloud 
where their flock will go to worship and how they will cope. Church 
patrons left wondering what short of twisted individual could commit 
the heinous crime of burning down a house of worship.
  We must take a good look at these sobering facts by this epidemic of 
hate. According to a recently-sent Dear Colleague by two of our most-
distinguished Members, Henry Hyde and John Conyers, since October of 
1991, there has been 110 incidents of church arson that have been 
reported to Federal authorities with thirty-three of these arsons 
committed this year. Messrs. Hyde and Conyers also inform us that since 
the beginning of 1995, of the 51 church arsons committed, more than 
half of them involved African-American congregations.
  Meanwhile, officials from the Department of Justice have stated in 
testimony that our current laws do not give our Federal law enforcement 
officials the needed tools to prosecute and punish those sick, evil 
individuals who desecrate or burn our places of worship. Mr. Speaker, 
we need to amend our laws so we can incarcerate those who perpetuate 
bigotry and hatred for the good and well-being of society.
  Accordingly, I encourage my colleagues to join me in rising in strong 
support of H.R. 3525, the Church Arson Prevention Act of 1996, which 
has been offered by Congressman Hyde and Congressman Conyers.
  H.R. 3525, of which I am a cosponsor, will make important changes to 
the laws which are present on the books so that we may send more of 
these fire-toting hatemongers to jail.
  This bill, as noted in Messrs. Hyde and Conyers' Dear Colleague, 
would broaden the scope of the statute which makes it a crime to damage 
religious property or to obstruct a person in the free exercise of 
religious beliefs by applying criminal penalties if the offense `is in 
or affects interstate or foreign commerce.' According to Congressman 
Hyde and Congressman Conyers, H.R. 3525 will thus provide the amendment 
to our Federal statutes that will grant Federal jurisdiction, and thus 
will augment the Attorney General's ability to prosecute these arson 
cases.
  Also, this bill will reduce the current dollar value of destruction 
which must occur before these crimes of desecration may be prosecuted. 
At the present time, our laws state that the loss from the destruction 
of property must be more than $10,000. However, H.R. 3525 will reduce 
the dollar threshold to $5,000. As Congressman Hyde and Congressman 
Conyers rightly point out, by reducing this threshold to a lower dollar 
number on destruction, it will make it easier for the Federal 
Government to prosecute more of these arson cases.
  Mr. Speaker, this House should put its foot firmly down on those who 
would espouse terror and religious bigotry. To help do that, H.R. 3525 
should be wholeheartedly supported by every Member of this Congress.
  Mrs. KENNELLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this 
resolution to condemn the horrific outbreak of church fires in the 
South.
  There is little doubt that those who are responsible for these 
church-burnings are trying to send this Nation a message, one that we 
had hoped faded away years ago, but which is still very much with us. 
It is a message of hate and exclusion, and it is a message of bigotry 
and intolerance.
  Like many of my constituents, I have struggled over recent months to 
understand the thought process that would lead someone to set fire to a 
church. Few structures symbolize security and peace in a frightening 
world better than a place of worship. By destroying these buildings in 
such a violent and ruthless way, the perpetrators of these crimes are 
telling millions of Americans that they should not

[[Page H6399]]

feel at peace in their communities, that they are not secure.
  At times like this, we can find some comfort in the fact that no 
amount of violence can destroy the progress we have made toward 
becoming a more tolerant society. Everyday, in communities across the 
country, men and women young and old are teaching the lessons of peace, 
love, and faith so central to American life. But even as we take 
comfort, we cannot become so comfortable that we do nothing. For if we 
do nothing, we are accepting bigotry as part of our social landscape--
and we will never accept that.
  Cowardly actions demand powerful responses. The President began today 
by saying, ``They know not what they do.'' Some may not know, but the 
perpetrators of these acts know exactly what they do--and it cannot be 
tolerated.
  When those who burn churches send their message of hate, good people 
across this Nation need to rally together. When bigots tell millions of 
Americans that they are less than equal, then we must tell the bigots 
that we are all brothers and sisters. And when arsonists slink in the 
dark of night trying to undermine our community, we must stand up in 
the light of day and proclaim that our community is far too strong to 
be damaged by their actions.
  Those who burn churches want to mark the Earth with the ashes and 
rubble of their intolerance. Instead, let us rebuild these churches as 
a living memorial, made of stone and brick, to our commitment to human 
rights and human dignity.
  By passing this resolution, we let the purveyors of hate know that 
the good people of this Nation will drown out the message of hate 
wherever it appears.
  Mr. WATTS of Oklahoma. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my 
time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Jones). All time for debate has expired.
  Pursuant to the order of the House of today, the previous question is 
ordered.
  The question is on the concurrent resolution.
  The concurrent resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________