[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 98 (Tuesday, July 13, 1999)]
[House]
[Pages H5440-H5441]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          CONDEMNING THE CULTURE OF HATE THAT FOSTERS VIOLENCE

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentlewoman from Illinois (Ms. Schakowsky) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, more than a week ago our Nation and my 
community in particular witnessed in horror the cruel and vicious 
consequences of the doctrine of hate. In a matter of days in the State 
of Illinois and Indiana a mad murderer full of rage and contempt for 
his fellow men took the lives of two innocent men and attempted to 
murder many more victims, including six Jewish men and two Asian 
students.
  The spree of hate and violence began on Friday, July 2, just 2 days 
before we, citizens of this Nation of immigrants, celebrated 
Independence Day. It ended on July 5. I congratulate the efforts of law 
enforcement from the local level up to the FBI for so quickly 
identifying this individual, for its work with the community and for 
putting an end to his rampage. However, many questions still remain, 
including the role of white supremacist hate groups in fostering this 
attack.
  In my district, where most of these attacks took place, my community 
breathed a sigh of relief when the killing spree came to an end. But we 
were left grieving for Ricky Byrdsong and his family; Woo-Joon Yoon, 
the Asian student from Bloomington, Indiana; and angry for the assault 
on Jewish men peacefully observing the Sabbath.
  Ricky Byrdsong lived in Skokie, Illinois. He was a loving husband, a 
father, a leader in the community, a former basketball coach at 
Northwestern University, a man of deep religious faith and a 
constituent. He was murdered in cold blood. His only crime was the 
color of his skin. He was African American. Ricky Byrdsong was a proud 
American man who was living the American dream. He left an unmistakable 
and everlasting impression on all those who had the opportunity to meet 
him, and he positively touched the lives of countless youth during his 
lifetime.
  He was committed to a cause. His cause was to help under-privileged 
youth reach their full potential and follow their dreams. He was 
working on his first book: Coaching Your Kids in the Game of Life. The 
book was scheduled to be released next year on Father's Day. At his 
funeral his pastor vowed that his book would be completed. Now his 
family will have to go on without him, his children will grow up 
without their father's guidance, his friends will no longer hear his 
infectious laugh, and the community, especially the children, has lost 
forever a leader.
  I will never forget the look on the faces of the hundreds of people 
who attended his funeral last Wednesday. It was a look of disbelief, 
pain and yet inspiration because Ricky Byrdsong was truly inspiring. I 
never wish to attend another funeral of a victim of such hatred. Ricky 
Byrdsong has made our mission clearer than ever. The culture of hate 
has no place among us. We must educate and use the truth to counter the 
lies being spread by hatemongers, groups and so-called churches in our 
communities, schools, places of worship, neighborhoods and especially 
on the Internet to our youth.
  As a society, we must not be intimidated by the few who refuse to 
live peacefully among us. We must stand firm and never ever be afraid. 
That is why I was so proud to join the Jewish

[[Page H5441]]

Family and Community Services, Jewish Children's Bureau and the Anti 
Defamation League, the rabbis and other leaders of the Jewish community 
in Chicago, particularly Mr. Michael Kotzin of the Jewish United Fund 
and the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago who showed such 
leadership, to join with them on the day after six Jewish men were shot 
to say that an attack on even one is an attack on all of us.
  I wish to recognize the Jewish United Fund for opening a special fund 
to aid families affected by bigotry-related violence. The initial goal 
of the JUF Fund for Hate Crime Victims and Families will offer 
assistance to the family of Ricky Byrdsong for the children's higher 
education.
  As the Sabbath came to a close last Saturday evening, we walked the 
streets of the Rogers Park neighborhood in solidarity. Rogers Park is 
the kind of community that haters hate the most. It is diverse, 
integrated, independent, peaceful and all-American. But in a perverse 
sense of Americanism during the 4th of July weekend a crazy person 
attempted to take that away, and he failed.
  Our community is stronger than ever. We stood together at a time of 
great anxiety and grave danger. Now is the time for Congress to respond 
to the tragedies that took place on the 4th of July weekend and pass 
sensible gun safety legislation. Congress must act now to make it more 
difficult for individuals to obtain weapons in order to convert their 
hatred into terror and death.
  Guns used by the assailant were bought from an illegal gun dealer. He 
recently purchased more than 60 guns for the sole purpose of selling 
them for a profit. Unfortunately, two of these guns were sold to a 
murderer, with complete disregard for the sanctity of life. We have a 
responsibility to protect the lives of our constituents. Congress must 
pass and the President must sign bills to limit the purchase of 
handguns to one per month and to require the registration of every 
handgun sold in the United States. Our constituents demand it, and our 
children deserve it, and we should also pass stronger hate crimes 
legislation so all of us will be safe in our communities.

                          ____________________