[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 4]
[Senate]
[Pages 5356-5357]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




           ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE DEATH OF FREDDIE GRAY

  Mr. CARDIN. Mr. President, the death of Freddie Gray was a national 
tragedy deserving of a national conversation. A year after the death of 
Freddie Gray, the glare of television cameras covering the ensuing 
unrest has faded in Baltimore but the hurt and the continuing effort to 
heal remain.
  In the 12 months since Freddie Gray's death, Americans have had long 
overdue conversations about racially biased policing, poverty in cities 
across America, the lack of access to quality education, and the 
scarcity of safe and affordable housing. These conversations have been 
translated into meaningful actions by Baltimore City residents, 
community leaders, and lawmakers at every level. Faith groups, 
community organizations, the business community, and many other groups 
who love and understand the limitless potential of our city have stood 
up and articulated their vision on how to build a stronger Baltimore.
  The death of Freddie Gray was yet another painful reminder of the 
problems we have in our criminal justice system. I am a strong 
supporter of the independence of our judicial branch of government and 
the grand jury system, but I think all of us understand the frustration 
when there were no criminal indictments brought in the Trayvon Martin 
case, the Michael Brown case, the Eric Garner case, and far too many 
examples across America.
  I have been working for years to address problems in our criminal 
justice system. In the days following the death of Freddie Gray and the 
ensuing unrest, I called on the Justice Department to open Federal 
criminal and civil rights investigations into Freddie Gray's death. On 
April 21, 2015, I was joined by Representative John Conyers in 
reintroducing legislation, the End Racial Profiling Act, which I 
originally introduced before the tragic death of Trayvon Martin.
  As Baltimore emerged from the unrest, I met with community leaders to 
discuss legislative responses to help heal Baltimore's physical wounds 
and how to address many of the core problems that underpinned the 
unrest.
  I met with a pharmacy owner whose store had been looted. I visited a 
senior center that was damaged. I spoke with residents in east and west 
Baltimore. I visited Freddie Gray's elementary school to hear from 
teachers and community leaders about what tools they required for the 
Federal Government to better meet the needs of students.
  In the weeks following the unrest, I went back and forth from 
Baltimore City to the Senate and the White House, relaying the needs of 
Baltimoreans to my colleagues and to top Obama administration 
officials. I was joined by the Maryland congressional delegation, my 
colleague and friend Senator Mikulski--one of the great leaders on this 
issue--and members of our city delegation--Congressman Cummings, 
Congressman Ruppersberger, and Congressman Sarbanes.
  Congress and the Federal Government responded and continues to 
respond. I welcomed the announcement that the Department of Justice 
Civil Rights Division will open a Federal ``pattern or practice'' 
investigation of the Baltimore Police Department. This was just one way 
to help restore the eroded trust between communities and police. To 
further this effort, I introduced the BALTIMORE Act. The BALTIMORE Act 
is comprised of four titles.
  Title I deals with law enforcement reform. The BALTIMORE Act places 
bans on racial profiling by State and local law enforcement, mandatory 
data collection and reporting, and available grants.
  It requires local law enforcement officials receiving funds from the 
Byrne/JAG and COPS Hiring Programs to submit officer training 
information to the Department of Justice, including how their officers 
are trained in the use of force, countering racial and ethnic bias, 
deescalating conflicts, and constructive engagement with the public.
  It requires the Department of Justice to report on a plan to assist 
State and local law enforcement agencies to improve training in the use 
of force, identifying racial and ethnic bias, and conflict resolution 
through the course of officers' careers.
  The Department of Justice shall develop Field Training Program 
policies and examine ways to partner with national law enforcement 
organizations to promote consistent standards for high quality training 
and assessment. The Department shall also provide a report that 
contains best practices, model policies, and training toolkits. The 
Department of Justice will derive action plans for helping law 
enforcement agencies upgrade their IT systems to submit arrest and 
officer-involved shooting data.
  Lastly, Title I establishes a pilot program to assist local law 
enforcement in purchasing or leasing body-worn cameras, which requires 
privacy study.
  We have a comprehensive section that deals with law enforcement.
  Title II deals with voting rights and civil rights restoration. The 
BALTIMORE Act restores the right to vote for all citizens after a 
prison sentence is served, returning citizens the right to vote. It 
also restores eligibility to sit on Federal juries after a prison 
sentence has been served.
  Title III deals with sentencing law reform, which many colleagues in 
this Chamber have been championing. It reclassifies specific low-level, 
nonviolent drug possession felonies as misdemeanors, eliminating the 
distinction between crack and powder cocaine for sentencing, and 
requires fair weight for food products.
  Title IV deals with reentry and employment law reform. It is 
critically

[[Page 5357]]

important that people have an opportunity once they come out of 
incarceration. I don't think there is a Member of this Chamber who 
hasn't had a second chance. This allows nonprofits to apply for Second 
Chance Act grants.
  It authorizes $200 million annually for the Labor Department's 
Reentry Employment Opportunities Program. It is a sense of the Congress 
that the administration should ``ban the box'' for hiring of Federal 
contractors.
  Baltimore's congressional delegation has been fighting to ensure 
Federal resources are made available to help the city residents 
prosper. In the days following the unrest, the Small Business 
Administration established disaster loan outreach centers in Baltimore 
to help local owners who have been impacted by the unrest.
  The Justice Department has also provided assistance in the form of 
the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grants to help defray the 
cost of policing during the unrest and to help local law enforcement 
better safeguard communities from violent crime.
  The Department of Education's Project SERV, or School Emergency 
Response to Violence, has given resources to Baltimore City Public 
Schools to help students recover from trauma associated with the 
unrest.
  The Environmental Protection Agency pledged funding to help convert 
vacant lots into gardens that foster a sense of community and increase 
public and environmental health.
  Other Obama administration initiatives such as My Brother's Keeper 
continue to give communities the tools they need to foster long-term 
positive change. These are only a small portion of the Federal 
Government's ongoing commitment to the people of Baltimore City.
  I am proud of the Federal Government stepping up to help Baltimore so 
that Baltimore can reach its full potential. Baltimore is my home. 
Following the death of Freddie Gray was one of the most difficult days 
in the city's history. One year later, Baltimore is transforming with 
the help of ordinary citizens, the business community, and a slew of 
nonprofits making a measurable impact. I have always been honored to 
represent the people of Baltimore. As long as I still have that honor, 
I will continue to make sure the Federal Government is an active 
partner in empowering Baltimore City to reach its full potential.
  In the year since the death of Freddie Gray, we have made progress in 
building a more just America by investing in Baltimore. Let us continue 
to build upon that progress.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Ohio.
  Mr. BROWN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to speak in morning 
business.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator is recognized.

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