[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 47 (Wednesday, March 21, 2012)]
[House]
[Page H1437]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
JUSTICE FOR TRAYVON MARTIN
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from
Florida (Ms. Wilson) for 5 minutes.
Ms. WILSON of Florida. Madam Speaker, Trayvon Martin was a 17-year-
old young boy who lived in my district and attended school within
walking distance of my home. I have known his family most of my life,
and they are pleading, begging, crying for justice. The whole city of
Miami is pleading for justice as they try to remain calm.
Every day, every day I will come to this floor and announce to
America how long justice for Trayvon Martin has been delayed by using
this charge.
Today marks the 25th day. Trayvon Martin was murdered 25 days ago,
and still there has been no arrest. The evidence is overwhelming. Every
single day new evidence emerges, and still there is no arrest.
To date, the FBI, the DOJ, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement,
FDLE, and the State Attorney's Office are all involved in
investigations surrounding his death. And still there has been no
arrest.
What does it take? What more does it take?
The eyes of people pleading for justice in this Congress and
everywhere I go are watching Sanford, Florida. The grand jury has been
selected, and the grand jury is not reflective of Trayvon's family nor
Trayvon. That must be corrected immediately.
I've heard from Trayvon's family. I've heard from his brother, his
uncle, his classmates, his teachers, community leaders, the school
superintendent. I even spoke to his mother again late last night.
Everyone is calling for justice.
What happened to Trayvon was a classic example of racial profiling,
quickly followed by murder of our dear, sweet Trayvon Martin.
Do you know that it took 3 days, 3 whole days, for the police to
release Trayvon's body from the morgue to be shipped to Miami for
burial and the funeral simply because the Police Department would not
submit the necessary paperwork?
Sanford Police, do your duty. Arrest the murderer today. Twenty-five
days is much too long.
We must stand up for justice. We must stand up for Trayvon. And we
must stand up for our children.
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