[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 82 (Thursday, May 16, 2019)]
[House]
[Pages H3847-H3848]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 CONGRESS MUST BE INVOLVED AND ENGAGED

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Ruiz). The Chair recognizes the 
gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson Lee) for 5 minutes.
  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I have had the privilege of serving in 
this august body, and serving the American people and the people of the 
18th Congressional District.
  Just a few minutes ago, I was at Arlington Cemetery participating in 
the wreath-laying ceremony for the women of the United States military, 
those who have fallen in battle, and recognizing young and new women 
members of the United States military.
  In fact, Sergeant Kelly, whom I honored, is in combat, having been 
given permission to be engaged in combat since 2015 by the Pentagon and 
the United States Defense Department. That means that I have the 
greatest respect for all of these men and women and take very seriously 
the issues of war and peace.
  I was here in the United States Congress during the heinous and 
devastating attack on this Nation on 9/11. I was here for Afghanistan 
and Iraq, the Kosovo war, the Bosnian war. Every one of those war zones 
I visited. I saw the men and women sacrifice. I take very seriously 
this issue of war.
  I am very concerned with the efforts now in the waters in the 
Mideast, with the intelligence that is alleged by the administration 
that is coming and this saber-rattling that is occurring, because the 
lives of our men and women will be put in harm's way.
  Congress must be engaged, and I demand that, beyond the immediate

[[Page H3848]]

briefing today, the Members of the United States Congress, those who 
care about national security, homeland security, be briefed as to why 
our vessels are there, others are headed there, and the allegations or 
suggestion that 120,000 troops will be moving in that direction.
  America is strong. We have no fear, but we have always been a 
defender, not an offender. Iran is not just any old country in the 
Mideast. Shamefully, we disengaged from the Iran nuclear deal--wrong 
decision, evidenced by what is happening today.
  You cannot backdoor conversations. You have to show yourself willing 
to negotiate with leaders from the position of facts and knowledge.
  I can't stomach the frivolous engagements and noninformation that is 
translating into our men and women put in harm's way. We must be 
involved and engaged.
  So I ask the administration to do so posthaste. I ask that we move 
forward with knowledge of what is going on, and each and every Member 
of this body and the other body should be knowledgeable about this 
point.
  I return to a local issue that has bothered me, and as a member of 
the Judiciary Committee, I want the family of Pamela Turner, who is now 
deceased, to know that I stand with them.
  I do not give a blanket assessment of the great law enforcement we 
have in this Nation, but I am appalled at the shooting death of an 
African American woman, Black woman, shot down in cold blood in the 
streets.
  Yes, this lady was walking her dogs in her apartment complex. There 
are suggestions that this individual was well-known to police and that 
there were some mental health issues, something that we have to fight 
against and give resources. Unfortunately, she was with warrants.
  I have no quarrel with people doing their job; but you are in your 
home, your apartment, walking your dogs, any other means could have 
been utilized to pick you up on warrants. You are not going anywhere. 
We know your address. Through an unfortunate interaction, altercation, 
the gun was taken out by a law enforcement officer, and she was shot 
five times--not once to wound, but five times.
  So this requires, for the comity of relationships and respect, a full 
Federal and State investigation--we cannot hide--just as I have 
indicated that shooting on Harding Street, recently, by officers 
requires a thorough and full investigation, which is going on right 
now.
  So I would simply say that because we are the land of the free and 
the brave, we are adherents to the Constitution and democracy and 
dignity and justice for all, this is an untenable and unacceptable act, 
that I could be walking my dogs, unarmed, and I proceed into an 
unfortunate circumstance which included a Taser, but then it results in 
the absolute ending of my life, and I may be a person who needed mental 
health assistance.
  I am deeply troubled to learn of the death of the Pamela Shantay 
Turner, who was shot and killed by a Baytown Police Officer. She was a 
mother of three children, and she died the day after Mother's Day.
  In the investigation following Ms. Turner's death, the officer 
indicated that he was patrolling as part of his duty, and recognized 
Ms. Turner from ``prior dealings'' and proceeded to commence an arrest 
but she resisted. Nothing in the record suggests any wrongdoing by Ms. 
Turner prior to this chance encounter with Baytown Police. Reports 
suggest the officer attempted to arrest Ms. Turner. The officer alleges 
Ms. Turner reached for his Taser and a lieutenant with the Baytown 
police claims that Ms. Turner actually tased the officer. According to 
the Baytown Police Department, the officer fired his duty weapon and 
struck multiple rounds at Ms. Turner. The shooting was recorded by a 
civilian and caught on cell phone video. After her death, it was 
revealed that Ms. Turner suffers from serious mental ailment. Prior to 
her death, Ms. Turner, 44, was heard stating that she was pregnant. 
After her death, this was determined not to be the case.
  I stand with the family of Pamela Turner. We must get to the truth; 
the facts and we will not relent until justice is served. The 
circumstances surrounding Ms. Turner's death are shocking and I demand 
a state and federal inquiry into her death. First, what predicate did 
the officer involved have in detaining Ms. Turner? Why were no efforts 
made to deescalate the controversy so that it did not end in a loss of 
life? And, if Ms. Turner was known to law enforcement in prior 
dealings, did they not also know about her mental state? In recent 
months, we have seen too many instances of these types of killings. 
During National Police Week we honor our officers and I abhor attacks 
on our brave law enforcement personnel. As a member of the House 
Judiciary Committee, I look forward to working with law enforcement to 
protect justly our citizens and them. This disturbing act should not 
have happened and should never be repeated.

                          ____________________