[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 103 (Thursday, June 25, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E986]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




SUPPORT OF THE ``PRIVILEGED'' RESOLUTION CALLED BY REP. BENNIE THOMPSON 
(MS) TO REMOVE ALL SYMBOLS BEARING THE CONFEDERATE FLAG FROM THE HALLS 
             OF THE HOUSE WING OF THE UNITED STATES CAPITOL

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. YVETTE D. CLARKE

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 25, 2015

  Ms. CLARKE of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with my brothers 
and sisters of the Congressional Black Caucus, to stand in support of 
the ``privileged'' resolution called by Rep. Bennie Thompson to remove 
the Confederate Flag where ever it may be represented within the House 
wing of the U.S. Capitol.
  It is with great remorse that what took place on June 17, 2015 at the 
Emanuel AME bible study in Charleston, S.C. that claimed the lives of 
Sharonda Coleman-Singleton, Cynthia Hurd, Tywanza Sanders, Myra 
Thompson, Ethel Lance, Daniel Simmons, Depayne Middleton-Doctor, Susie 
Jackson, and South Carolina State Senator Rev. Clementa Pinckney had to 
be the catalyst to drive this motion after 150 years when this symbol 
was first surrendered.
  For many Americans, this symbol has stood as a symbol of heritage 
under which their family has dug deep roots into our country.
  But, this symbol was created in a time where our nation struggled to 
understand the very words written in our own Declaration of 
Independence, ``We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men 
are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain 
unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit 
of Happiness.''
  Furthermore, troubled individuals and groups have taken to the symbol 
of the Confederate flag as an icon to portray their racist expression 
and actions against all groups whether in regards to their gender, 
sexuality, or race.
  Much like the creation and defamation of the swastika in Europe, this 
symbol of hatred must not be a symbol in our present, but a symbol in 
our past.
  I urge my colleagues in the House Administration to act in due 
diligence to bring this issue back to the House Floor for consideration 
so that we may do our duty as elected Representatives and respond to 
the voices of this great nation.

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