[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 58 (Wednesday, May 2, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E702]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              CONDEMNING THE PRACTICE OF RACIAL PROFILING

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                        HON. TIMOTHY V. JOHNSON

                              of illinois-

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 2, 2001

  Mr. JOHNSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise to commend the thousands of police 
officers keeping the streets of America safe, but to bring attention 
the un-American practice of racial profiling.
  The 4th and 14th Amendments are intended to protect our citizens from 
our government by requiring searches and seizures to be reasonable. In 
the United States, a search or seizure is unreasonable and, therefore, 
unconstitutional if it is motivated by race, religion, or ethnicity. 
Congress must concern itself with those who choose to ignore the basic 
rights of all Americans--rights that exist regardless of the color of 
your skin.
  While serving my last term in the Illinois legislature, I voted for a 
statewide study to determine the extent and the effects of racial 
profiling. Recently in my home state, the City of Highland Park 
established landmark initiatives to curb this intolerable practice. 
These initiatives are the first of their kind in this country.
  Now in Congress, I intend to review Highland Park's broad plan and 
work towards ending racial profiling so that justice for all exists 
throughout the United States, not only in one city in Illinois. I hope 
that my colleagues on both sides of the aisle work with me on this 
issue.

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