[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 98 (Thursday, June 18, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E928]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




EXPRESSING CONDOLENCES TO THE VICTIMS OF THE SENSELESS SHOOTING AT THE 
          EMANUEL A.M.E. CHURCH IN CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 18, 2015

  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that I rise to 
speak out against the senseless loss of innocent lives resulting from 
another senseless act of violence.
  My thoughts and prayers go out to the people of Charleston, South 
Carolina, the members of the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church 
in Charleston, pastored by the Rev. Clementa Pinckney, who was one of 
nine persons slain by a gunman motivated by hate.
  Last night Rev. Pinckney, who was also a member of the South Carolina 
State Senate, and eight others were shot in a horrific massacre at one 
of the nation's historic black churches.
  Mr. Speaker, it shocks the conscience that this shooting took place 
during a prayer meeting in a house of sanctuary.
  These types of events should never happen, and should never happen in 
a House of the Lord.
  There is no place in a civilized society for senseless acts of 
violence.
  I commend Attorney General Lynch for her moving quickly and 
decisively to launch an investigation into this hate crime and bring 
the perpetrator to the bar of justice where he will be prosecuted to 
the full extent of the law.
   Mr. Speaker, as a country we have made major strides in equality and 
social justice but this tragedy reminds us that we still have work to 
do before Dr. King's dream of an America where all live and work 
together in brotherhood is realized.
  There is no place for bigotry and hatred in our great country and 
individuals who wish to practice hate must be rooted out and 
ostracized.
  Mr. Speaker, this senseless act of violence provides us with yet 
another opportunity to teach our children that violence is never the 
answer and that we all must be compassionate, inclusive, and 
understanding to all regardless of age, economic status, race, 
religion, nationality or educational background
  We as a nation must live lives motivated by love, not hate.
  We must teach our children to be tolerant, to show kindness, and to 
embrace and celebrate our differences.
  Changing a culture of violence will not happen overnight but that is 
no excuse for failing to try.
  We must try. For the sake of the victims of Emanuel A.M.E., we must 
not give up.
  I ask the House to observe a moment of silence in memory of the 
victims in South Carolina, and victims of gun violence everywhere.

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