[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 29 (Thursday, February 14, 2019)]
[House]
[Page H2000]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING JUDGE ASHFORD

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Nebraska (Mr. Bacon) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. BACON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Judge William Mark 
Ashford of the Fourth Judicial District Court of Nebraska who was known 
for his jovial smile, gregarious nature, and being a fearless voice for 
justice. February 14th marks what would have been his 67th birthday. 
His untimely passing is a great loss for his family, friends, and for 
the people of our community whom he served with the highest level of 
commitment, integrity, and honor.
  Appointed to the bench in 1988, Judge Ashford's work ethic and 
uncompromising professional integrity quickly garnered the respect of 
most and ruffled the feathers of some. Armed with a sharp legal mind 
and even sharper focus on the public he served, Judge Ashford was a 
stalwart judicial advocate, fighting for transparency in and out of the 
courtroom.
  His eternal faith in humanity and in the power of justice will 
continue to serve as an unyielding example. Nebraska Supreme Court 
Chief Justice Mike Heavican noted that Judge Ashford's work with the 
young adult treatment court and his pioneering efforts to establish the 
Douglas County Veterans Treatment Court would be sorely missed.

  Veterans treatment courts are tapping into the unique aspects of 
military and veteran culture and using them to the benefit of the 
veteran. According to the Omaha World Herald: ``Ashford felt a calling 
to oversee veterans court because his father was a World War II pilot 
who once flew a fighter plane called the Aksarben Knight.''
  I extend my deepest condolences to his friends and family members, 
especially his wife, Deb Ashford; sons, Steven and Sam Ashford; 
stepsons, Keith, Kristopher and Kent; and brothers, Brad and Carl 
Ashford.


                     African American History Month

  Mr. BACON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on the occasion of African 
American History Month to recognize two key figures in Nebraska 
history, Will Brown and George Smith, both murdered by lynching at the 
hands of lawless mobs. This is not a past Nebraskans are proud of, but 
it is a story we must continue to tell so we never forget them or allow 
acts of hate like these to ever be repeated.
  Nearly 100 years ago in the summer of 1919, Black people were killed 
amid violent race riots occurring across the country. Omaha, Nebraska, 
was not immune during that Red Summer and regrettably became known for 
one of the most heinous acts of hate and racial violence in American 
history.
  According to research, the destructive flames of hatred and racism at 
the time were fanned by a series of politically motivated articles 
published in newspapers like the Omaha Bee. Alarmed at the Bee's 
promotion of racial prejudice, Reverend John Albert Williams, first 
president of the local chapter of the NAACP and minister of St. 
Philip's Episcopal Church called upon the editors of the Bee to stop 
their propaganda.
  On September 28, 1919, a raucous crowd of more than 4,000, emboldened 
by the destructive rhetoric, grew violent and set fire to the Douglas 
County Courthouse. When Omaha Mayor Edward Smith tried to calm the 
crowd, he was assaulted and nearly killed by the mob before being 
rescued by local law enforcement. Without a trial, the riotous horde 
seized Mr. Brown, who had been accused of rape and robbery. Despite his 
exclamations of innocence, and physical evidence supporting his claims, 
Mr. Brown was brutally murdered. His body was paraded through the 
streets as a form of racial terrorism.
  Equally disturbing was the lynching of George Smith, also known as 
Joe Coe, 28 years earlier in October of 1891. Mr. Smith was falsely 
accused of raping a young girl, despite having a valid alibi and 
witnesses who attested to his innocence. Again, unchecked hatred fueled 
the unjustified lynching without any judicial process.
  By shining light on these horrid shadows of injustice in America, we 
can begin to speak truthfully about this difficult history so that 
reconciliation can be achieved. It also allows us to honor the 
inspirational leaders who rise up to promote equality and eradicate 
racial subjugation. The work of the NAACP was tremendously effective in 
awakening the Nation to the urgency of stopping lynching.
  Today in my community a coalition has been formed called the Omaha 
Community Council for Racial Justice and Reconciliation, to coordinate 
efforts to memorialize victims of lynching and raise awareness of 
racial violence in Douglas County.
  I call on all who hear these words to stand against hate, racism, and 
injustice whenever and wherever it may be found. We must ensure acts 
like these are never allowed to occur again and that the lessons of 
Will Brown and George Smith's deaths are never forgotten. We are a 
nation that respects life, liberty, equality, and the rule of law.

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