[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 101 (Monday, June 1, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Page S2630]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        REMEMBERING GEORGE FLOYD

  Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, I rise today at a time of great sorrow, 
anger, and fear for our Nation. We face the confluence of a health 
crisis, an economic depression, and a killing that laid bare the racial 
injustice that still taints our country.
  The horrific death of George Floyd in Minnesota was reprehensible. It 
was beyond a tragedy. It was a crime.
  As Americans, we all need to frankly acknowledge and work to resolve 
our longstanding, ongoing struggles with racial inequality. The 
President should help to heal the racial divisions in this country. It 
is at times like this that a President needs to speak to the Nation to 
pledge to right wrongs and to calm inflamed passions.
  The right to gather in protest of injustice is enshrined in our 
Constitution. The desire for reconciliation is in our national 
character. We must join together to ensure that the legacy of George 
Floyd is of progress, not deepening division and hatred.
  Let me be clear. The vast majority of our law enforcement officers 
are brave men and women devoted to protecting our families, our 
belongings, and our communities. They deserve our heartfelt gratitude 
as they willingly risk their lives for ours when danger strikes.
  In Maine, we are fortunate to have so many terrific professional law 
enforcement officers devoted to their duty and devoted to doing what is 
right.
  It is, however, imperative that we examine and act on the racial 
disparities in law enforcement where they occur.
  I cannot believe that George Floyd would have had his neck stepped on 
and the life squeezed out of him had he been White. Sadly, there are 
many other examples as well.
  I remember our own Senator Tim Scott describing his being stopped by 
a police officer while driving many times during one year, even though 
he was abiding by all the traffic laws. That is harassment and simply 
wrong.
  In confronting these problems, we would do well to heed the words of 
Congressman Lewis in response to the violence that overwhelmed peaceful 
protests in his city of Atlanta last weekend. Of course, we all know 
that the Congressman is a civil rights icon as well as an extraordinary 
Member of Congress. He said this:

       Justice has, indeed, been denied for far too long. Rioting, 
     looting, and burning is not the way. Organize. Demonstrate. 
     Sit-in. Stand-up. Vote. Be constructive, not destructive. 
     History has proven time and again that non-violent, peaceful 
     protest is the way to achieve the justice and equality that 
     we all deserve.

  Those are powerful words from Congressman Lewis. Those are words that 
should motivate and guide all of us.
  Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., once said:

       Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. 
     Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.

  By continuing to listen to one another and being guided by the words 
of Congressman Lewis, Dr. Martin Luther King, and the mayor of Atlanta, 
we can work toward improving social justice and eliminating racial 
disparities in this country, and we can drive out the forces of 
bigotry.
  Thank you.
  I yield the floor.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Ms. CANTWELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

                          ____________________