[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 106 (Friday, July 29, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1679]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    UNSOLVED CIVIL RIGHTS CRIME ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BOB FILNER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 28, 2005

  Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce the Unsolved Civil 
Rights Crime Act with Congressman Bennie Thompson. As a former 
``Freedom Rider'' in Mississippi during the 1960s, I have seen first 
hand the need for this bill.
  While most are familiar with the recent prosecution of Edgar Ray 
Killen his participation in the slayings of Civil Rights workers James 
Chaney, Michael Schwerner and Andrew Goodman, there are many other 
cases that aren't as well known or remain unsolved, like Emmett Till. 
These cases need to be investigated.
  We as a Congress have a moral obligation to bring justice to the 
families of these victims. Furthermore, as a society based on laws, we 
have a responsibility to ensure that criminals don't go unpunished.
  This bill creates a special section within the Civil Rights Division 
of the Department of Justice to focus specifically on unsolved pre-1970 
Civil Rights' homicides. In addition, the bill authorizes up to $5 
million annually for this new section, which will provide States 
assistance with prosecuting Civil Rights era cases that have grown cold 
over time.
  Unlike many other endeavors that have come before this House to 
address past racial injustice, this bill goes beyond mere rhetoric and 
``lip service'' and provides an avenue to actually address Civil 
Rights' crimes.
  Our country has come a long way since the 1960s. For example, seven 
states, since 1989, have reexamined 29 killings from the Civil Rights 
era, leading to 27 arrests and 22 convictions. However, as most are 
aware, there are still many unsolved homicides from that time period. 
And, while we can't go back in time, we can acknowledge our past 
transgressions and do our best to work towards correcting them.
  ``Justice delayed'' is better than ``Justice denied''!

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