[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 48 (Thursday, March 22, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E418]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       SENSELESS ACTS OF VIOLENCE

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                       HON. DONNA M. CHRISTENSEN

                         of the virgin islands

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 22, 2012

  Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, yesterday we laid to rest a young man, 
Deniel Brow who was killed after he turned away from an argument--shot 
as he began to walk away.
  Every time our children are out, not only in the Virgin Islands but 
across the country, and certainly as we now see in Florida, we worry 
that they will be injured or killed in some senseless act of violence.
  In the case of young Traynor Martin, he was not killed because of an 
argument with a peer which would have been bad enough, it appears he 
was pursued by an adult, allegedly, a self appointed overly aggressive 
neighborhood watch person who seemed to be just looking for trouble, 
and who even after being told by dispatchers to leave the boy alone 
pursued him and in the midst of his pleas for help heard on the 911 
tape, shoots and kills him.
  I am glad the Justice Department has begun its investigation and I 
thank our colleague Corrine Brown for getting involved and being the 
strong advocate she is on behalf of the grieving Martin family and his 
community.
  But you know the blame for this incident goes beyond the shooter. All 
who have engaged in violent rhetoric against racial and ethnic 
minorities, who have been contributing to the poisonous environment in 
which we now find ourselves in this country and who have been 
encouraging this kind of vigilante activity are also responsible for 
young Traynor's death and his family's loss.
  I hope this incident will be a wake-up call and have us come to our 
senses and sense of fairness, justice and community--the kind of 
community that looks out for and takes care of its children, not kills 
them or fosters an atmosphere where this kind of action is encouraged.

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