[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 194 (Tuesday, December 18, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Page S15901]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 RESTORING JUSTICE FOR BOOKER TOWNSELL

  Mr. FEINGOLD. Mr. President, today I want to take a moment to 
recognize a victory for the cause of justice, albeit one that is long 
overdue. In 1944, Booker Townsell, a private in the U.S. Army, was 
convicted of a crime in an unfair and racially biased trial, 63 years 
ago to this day. I join Booker Townsell's family in heralding the 
recent decision by the Army Board for Correction of Military Records to 
overturn this conviction and restore all rights lost as a result of the 
conviction. Although Booker Townsell is no longer with us, and no 
ruling can change the injustice that Booker Townsell suffered when he 
was wrongly convicted by the Army in 1944, I am pleased to see that the 
Army is rejecting the original decision handed down 63 years ago.
  Despite the injustice he suffered, Booker Townsell displayed 
tremendous strength, and went on to lead a full life in Wisconsin, 
including raising a wonderful family. I am glad to see the tremendous 
weight of this conviction lifted from his family. It is due to their 
valiant effort that this decision was finally overturned. I also thank 
Congressmen Jim McDermott and Duncan Hunter for putting vital pressure 
on the Army to review the 1944 decision. While it has taken far too 
long, 63 years later, justice has finally been restored to Booker 
Townsell and his family.

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