[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 107 (Friday, July 10, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1033]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, ENVIRONMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES 
                        APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2016

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. TERRI A. SEWELL

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 8, 2015

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the state of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 2822) making 
     appropriations for the Department of the Interior, 
     environment, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending 
     September 30, 2016, and for other purposes:

  Ms. SEWELL of Alabama. Mr. Chair, today I rise in strong opposition 
to senseless Republican attempts to allow Confederate flags to be 
displayed and sold in national parks and cemeteries. The Confederate 
flag throughout history has been a symbol of extreme hatred, deliberate 
malice, and continued segregation. Any attempt by Congress to uphold 
and profit from such an image is completely reprehensible.
   Recently, states across the country have done the right thing and 
removed the Confederate flag from their State Capitol grounds, 
including my home state of Alabama. In fact, on July 9th South Carolina 
lawmakers voted to ensure that this contentious symbol is removed from 
its state capitol grounds. It is unconscionable to think that while 
South Carolina's legislature was working until the early hours of the 
morning fighting for the removal of the Confederate flag, my Republican 
colleagues were attempting to undo efforts by the House to prohibit the 
Confederate flag from being sold and displayed at our national parks 
and federal cemeteries.
   The Confederate flag is a part of America's past and that is where 
it should stay. Removing the Confederate flag does not detract from 
America's rich history in any way, but instead is recognition of the 
fact that this flag represents hatred not heritage, treason not pride. 
In order for us to come together as a nation, it is necessary to remove 
the vestiges of the past that connect racism and segregation.
   The preamble to the Constitution reads ``We the people'', making it 
evident that America is supposed to be one cohesive nation. As Members 
of Congress we have the responsibility to ensure that our actions 
reflect the will of the people. The Confederate flag does nothing but 
continue to divide this great country. Let's stand behind our nation's 
purpose, that all men are created equal, by prohibiting the selling and 
displaying of the Confederate flag at national parks and federal 
cemeteries.
   I urge my colleagues to stand with me and reject this amendment.

                          ____________________