[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 77 (Monday, June 15, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6340-S6341]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SENATE RESOLUTION 248--CONDEMNING THE KILLING OF MR. JAMES BYRD, JR., 
               AND COMMENDING THE COMMUNITY OF JASPER, TX

  (Mrs. HUTCHISON (for herself, Mr. Gramm, and Ms. Moseley-Braun) 
submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 248

     SECTION 1. FINDINGS.

       The Senate finds as follows:
       (1) Mr. James Byrd, Jr., of Jasper, Texas, was brutally 
     murdered on June 6, 1998.

[[Page S6341]]

       (2) Since this heinous tragedy, the citizens of Jasper, 
     from all segments of the community, have come together to 
     condemn the killing and honor the memory of Mr. Byrd.
       (3) The Sheriff of Jasper County, Billy Rowles, spoke for 
     the community when he appealed that the nation not ``label us 
     because of this random, brutal act.''
       (4) Mr. and Mrs. James Byrd, Sr., called for ``justice and 
     peace,'' asking that ``we . . . get this over and put this 
     behind us.''
       (5) The community's response reflects the spirit that other 
     communities across the nation have shown in the face of 
     recent incidents of random and senseless violence.

     SEC. 2. CONDEMNING THE KILLING OF JAMES BYRD, JR., AND 
                   COMMENDING THE COMMUNITY OF JASPER.

       The Senate--
       (1) condemns the actions which occurred in Jasper, Texas as 
     horrific and intolerable, to be rejected by all Americans;
       (2) expresses its deepest condolences to the Byrd family 
     for their loss and the pain it caused;
       (3) notes the strong religious faith of the Byrd family, 
     under the inspired leadership of James Sr., and Stella Byrd, 
     and the Reverend Kenneth Lyons, Pastor of the Greater New 
     Bethel Baptist Church, that has helped the family through 
     this most trying time;
       (4) sees in the Byrd family reaction to this tragedy the 
     inspiration for hope, peace, and justice in Jasper and 
     throughout the United States;
       (5) commends the leadership shown by Jasper County Sheriff 
     Billy Rowles, City of Jasper Mayor R.C. Horn, and other 
     community leaders in responding to this tragedy;
       (6) urges that law enforcement officials at all appropriate 
     levels continue with the full and fair investigation into all 
     of the facts of the case;
       (7) urges prosecutors to proceed with a fair and speedy 
     trial to bring the perpetrators of this outrageous crime to 
     justice.

                          ____________________