[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 101 (Tuesday, June 23, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E954-E955]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




REMEMBERING THE SOUTH CAROLINA SHOOTING AND REMOVAL OF THE CONFEDERATE 
                                  FLAG

                                  _____
                                 

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 23, 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.
  Although tragedy has found its way into the lives of the individuals 
murdered and the lives of their families there has been some good found 
in this tragic loss.
  Mr. Speaker, the legislature of South Carolina has decided to debate 
whether to remove the flag from the front of the State House building 
after public support from prominent legislators, community 
organizations, and the Governor of South Carolina have called for the 
flag to come down now.
  When considering the removal of the flag the people must remember the 
nine lives that were lost due to senseless, insensitive, and hateful 
feelings that were influenced by the traditions represented by the 
Confederate flag.
  The Confederate flag has been used as a symbol of hate, exclusion, 
and a brutally offensive past.
  South Carolina should follow in the footsteps of Texas which refused 
to authorize license plates with the confederate flag on them, a 
decision upheld last week by the U.S. Supreme Court.
  Mr. Speaker, Wal Mart, Amazon, Sears, and eBay all have made a 
decision to stop selling Confederate flag merchandise.
  The Confederate flag does not represent the future of our great 
country.
  We must embrace a spirit of inclusion and goodwill with a mission to 
eradicate hate and ignorance.
  We can no longer allow our past to dictate our future, and must use 
this tragedy as an opportunity to eliminate symbols of hate that 
permeate through our society.

[[Page E955]]

  Mr. Speaker, as a country we must recognize the emotional pain 
attached to the Confederate flag, stand strong together and not allow a 
symbol of hate continue to divide our nation.

                          ____________________