[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 78 (Tuesday, June 16, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1143]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


          CONDEMNING THE BRUTAL KILLING OF MR. JAMES BYRD, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. GLENN POSHARD

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 11, 1998

  Mr. POSHARD. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to be a co-sponsor of House 
Resolution 466, and I rise today to join my colleagues in expressing my 
deep sorrow and strong condemnation of the vicious, senseless murder of 
Mr. James Byrd, Jr., in Jasper, Texas. It is profoundly disturbing to 
me that such a heinous expression of racial hatred could still occur, 
but I hope that this shocking event can serve to bring us together in a 
renewed call for the justice, tolerance and harmony which have been so 
long in coming to this nation.
  I would also like to express my heartfelt condolences to those who 
knew and loved Mr. Byrd. While all of us are feeling the pain that 
comes with realizing our society is not yet free of this kind of 
violence, it is Mr. Byrd's family and friends who are bearing the 
heaviest burden of all, and I hope they will feel our thoughts and 
prayers with them as they struggle with their loss.
  I want to thank the Congresswoman from California, Ms. Waters, for 
offering such a powerful resolution. I urge my colleagues and all 
Americans to take this tragedy and transform it into an inspiration to 
fight against the evil and hatred that could make such a thing 
possible. We must not allow ourselves to become complacent while there 
is still work to be done, for we will not be a truly great nation until 
racism and discrimination have become nothing more than relics of the 
past.

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