[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 120 (Tuesday, July 17, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Page S5001]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                      REMEMBERING MARCUS J. YATES

 Mr. CASEY. Mr. President, today I wish to join the 
Philadelphia community in renaming the 6000 block of Springfield Avenue 
to Marcus J. Yates Way.
  Thirty years ago, on July 18, 1988, a gun fight on this block took 
the life of 5-year-old Marcus Yates. Marcus's death was a tragedy that 
prompted Philadelphia residents to seek change in their community, and 
while today's street dedication leaves us with a daily reminder of 
Marcus's life, it also serves as a testament to the dedication of the 
Yates family and those who stood alongside them, to ensure that his 
death would not be in vain.
  Marcus's killing served as the inspiration for efforts to better 
protect the children of west Philadelphia. Neighbors looked to create 
new, safer spaces for children, with residents setting up sports teams 
and drama clubs. Following the incident, citizens also organized a 
number of antidrug groups and held antidrug marches throughout the 
city, citing the increase in drug trafficking as a cause for the 
increase in gun violence in the community.
  In 1990, the Yates family opened the Marcus J. Yates Home for 
Children, housing over 30 foster children from the area. Since their 
son's death, the Yates family has become advocates against gun 
violence, seeking to prevent similar devastation from occurring 
throughout the Nation. They have taken this effort from the municipal 
level all the way to the Federal Government.
  When people described Marcus, they often commented on his vibrant, 
welcoming spirit. It is a tragedy that the community lost a bright soul 
at such a young age. Through the efforts of Marcus's family and his 
community, his legacy is one of advocacy and action. They have worked 
tirelessly to ensure that his short life was not lost in vain.
  The efforts of the West Philadelphia community, as well as the 
resilience of the Yates family are examples for us all. Their actions 
show us that with compassion and collaboration, tragedy can be a 
driving force for positive change. We honor their efforts and their 
persistence today on the anniversary of a life taken too soon.

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