[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 21 (Wednesday, March 1, 2000)]
[House]
[Page H580]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                VIOLATION OF CIVIL RIGHTS OF MR. DIALLO

  (Mr. MEEKS of New York asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute.)
  Mr. MEEKS of New York. Mr. Speaker, there is an open wound in New 
York this morning. That wound was caused by a decision that sends a 
message that the police can fire 41 bullets at an unarmed man of color 
as he enters his own home.
  A healing of this wound could only happen if the Justice Department 
conducts a thorough investigation of the violation of Mr. Diallo's 
civil rights.
  In addition, they must relentlessly evaluate and find just solutions 
to the patterns and practices of the New York City Police Department 
since, clearly, the city's leadership and its mayor and police chief 
find the police conduct to be okay.
  If New York City is to heal, the message must be said that all human 
life, no matter what race, creed or color, is valuable.
  Mr. Speaker, the Justice Department is the only doctor available 
today that can help us heal the wound in the City of New York. To the 
City of New York, I say, we are the second chapter to that. We must arm 
ourselves with the ballot and make sure that we send our message loudly 
and clearly in November.

                          ____________________