[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 75 (Thursday, June 11, 1998)]
[House]
[Page H4483]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            RACIAL VIOLENCE AND HATRED WILL NOT BE TOLERATED

  (Mr. LAMPSON asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I take to the floor today to express the 
outrage of the good people of southeast Texas, and my own personal 
outrage, at the actions of the three men in Jasper, Texas who brutally 
beat, chained, and savagely dragged James Byrd, Jr., an innocent man, 
behind their pickup truck to his painful death.
  This brutal attack should serve as a wakeup call to people who sit 
comfortably in their seats and blatantly say that racism does not 
exist. The only reason that Mr. Byrd was singled out for attack by 
these people is because of his race.
  It is unbelievable that in this day and age hate crimes against 
people of color are still occurring, yet they do. We must speak out 
against all hate crimes toward any person and be strong leaders for 
tolerance in our society.
  Mr. Speaker, we must take the lead to challenge the good people of 
this Nation to come together to condemn such heinous acts. I am 
personally pained by the continued violence and cruelty levied against 
people who simply want to live in this country in peace.
  African Americans and people of color have suffered enough in this 
Nation because of racism and bigotry. We must not sit idly by and allow 
this evil to take play. Let us join together as a Nation to say that 
violence and hatred will not be tolerated.

                          ____________________