[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 68 (Tuesday, April 20, 2021)]
[House]
[Page H1957]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Ms. Eshoo). The Chair recognizes the 
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Green) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. GREEN of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise in the name of liberty and 
justice for all. I rise in the name of liberty and justice for all 
because the criminal justice system is on trial. It is on trial in the 
court of world opinion. It is on trial for crimes committed against 
human beings in this country.
  Some of the complainants would include Eric Garner, Tamir Rice, 
Breonna Taylor, George Floyd.
  I rise in the name of liberty and justice for all because we have 
reached a point in our history wherein there is one case now that seems 
to have reached the pinnacle of the system, such that everyone is 
waiting to see how this case will eventually address liberty and 
justice for all.
  One of the complaints is that in this country we have allowed 
arresting officers, that we confer enormous power on, literally, the 
power to execute when necessary.
  But the question is: Will these arresting officers not only have the 
power to arrest, but also the power to be judge, jury, prosecutor, and 
executioner?
  This is the question before the court of world opinion.
  We have a case that embraces decades, perhaps even centuries of 
misdeeds. My hope is that we will receive a just ruling. My prayer is 
that, if there is not a just ruling, we will have peaceful protests. I 
believe in peaceful protests. I have gone to jail participating in 
peaceful protests. I have gone to jail with John Lewis participating in 
peaceful protests. Twice, he and I were jailed together.
  So I rise in the name of liberty and justice for all, understanding 
that we have an opportunity now to demonstrate to the world that we 
will not allow an arresting officer to be judge, jury, prosecutor, and 
executioner. But I also understand, given the history of this country, 
unfortunately, that things don't always work out as I believe they 
should.
  So my hope is that there will be peaceful protests, but I do hope 
that the protests will take place if there is not a just verdict. There 
is nothing wrong with peaceful protests in this country. There is 
nothing wrong with confronting injustice in this country. There is 
nothing wrong with standing up for the rights of those who are being 
denied liberty and justice for all in this country.
  I want to see peaceful protests if the wrong verdict is rendered. 
And, in my opinion, the verdict that we should have is arresting 
officers can't be judge, jury, prosecutor, and executioner. There are 
those who would say that I don't have the right to come to these 
conclusions at this time, and they are wrong.
  In the court of public opinion, world opinion, many have already come 
to this same conclusion. I am merely echoing what they have said. As 
such, I am a messenger, and the message is: Let's pray for a just 
decision in the court of world opinion.

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