[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 30 (Thursday, March 8, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E324]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RESOLUTION OF THE CONGRESSIONAL BLACK CAUCUS CONDEMNING RACIAL SLANDER 
                         BY SENATOR ROBERT BYRD

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 8, 2001

  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I submit the 
following on behalf of the Congressional Black Caucus:

Resolution of the Congressional Black Caucus Condemning Racial Slander 
                by Senator Robert Byrd of West Virginia

       Whereas, the members of the Congressional Black Caucus 
     regret the many years, in the not so distant past, when 
     certain members of the House and Senate freely used racial 
     slurs on the floor and in other public places; and,
       Whereas, our great nation has made great strides in both de 
     jure and de facto race relations and has established a new 
     moral standard in public discourse; and,
       Whereas, the administration of William Jefferson Clinton 
     greatly advanced progress in race relations through his 
     policies of inclusion and the President's demonstration of 
     great personal comfort among all racial, religious, and 
     ethnic groups; and,
       Whereas, the current political environment is such that 
     negative and derogatory sentiments, attitudes, and practices 
     of the past are being resurrected as new, caring, and 
     compassionate versions of sanctioned segregation; and,
       Whereas, the sentiments, attitudes and behaviors of the Ku 
     Klux Klan have long ago been condemned by the majority of 
     Americans and outlawed by the U.S. Constitution; and,
       Whereas, United States Senator Robert Byrd of West Virginia 
     recently made a statement using a racial slur regurgitated 
     from the painful past Ku Klux Klan era, that was hurtful, 
     incendiary, and counterproductive; and,
       Whereas, the members of the Congressional Black Caucus 
     consider it one of our priority duties to offer moral 
     leadership on behalf of our constituents and to the American 
     people in general, and to resist any attempt to move our 
     great nation back in time to our ugly legacy of racial 
     injustice, insensitivity and intolerance, now therefor be it
       Resolved That the members of the Congressional Black Caucus 
     hereby, without rancor or malice, condemn Senator Byrd's 
     racist statement and the sentiment of lingering intolerance 
     it reflects. We respectfully request all members of the House 
     and Senate to publicly and privately convey a similar 
     condemnation; be it further
       Resolved That this proclamation of Condemnation be printed 
     in the Congressional Record; and be it further
       Resolved, That United States Senator Robert Byrd make his 
     statements of apology from the floor of the U.S. Senate.

     

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