[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 63 (Monday, April 17, 2023)] [House] [Pages H1744-H1751] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
Date: 2023-04-17
Chamber: HOUSE
Mr. JACKSON: I rise today to confront a multitude of challenges that have relentlessly gnawed at the very soul of our Nation, the devastating plague of gun violence, the erosion of our democratic values, and the insidious persistence of racism that continues to cast its dark shadow over our society. As we stand today, hearts heavy with sorrow, we remember the innocent lives lost in the tragic mass shooting at The Covenant School in Nashville. Three young children and three adults were mercilessly taken from us, leaving a void in their families and communities that can never be filled. The Metropolitan Nashville Police Department identified the victims as Evelyn Dieckhaus, 9 years of age; Hallie Scruggs, 9 years of age; William Kinney, 9 years of age; Katherine Koonce, 60; Cynthia Peak, 61; Mike Hill, 61. In the wake of this unspeakable tragedy, the Tennessee State Legislature, a body that was meant to protect its citizens and uphold the values of this great Nation, chose to abdicate its responsibilities. Instead of working tirelessly to keep their communities safe from the horrors of gun violence, they opted for an unprecedented and unjust course of action; expelling two Black members of the Democratic Caucus who stood with families, who stood with teachers, and who stood with the will of the students in their righteous demand for gun safety reform. Representative Justin Jones and Representative Justin Pearson, two Black and duly elected representatives, were silenced, their voices snuffed out like candles in a storm. The GOP-led House's actions have sent a chilling message that racism, the vile scourge that has blighted our Nation's history, is still alive and well. My fellow colleagues, it is high time we stand up and speak truth to power. We must stand tall, shoulder to shoulder, and declare that we will no longer tolerate this blatant racism and anti-democratic behavior. We will not let the echoes of the past define our presence, nor dictate our future. To truly understand the gravity of the situation in Tennessee, we must delve into the sordid history of State legislatures in the South and their treatment of Black lawmakers. During the Reconstruction era, we saw the rise of Black political representation. However, this progress was met with fierce resistance from the white supremacists who sought to maintain their grip on power.  {time}  1945  In Georgia, 32 Black legislators, known as the Original 33, were expelled from the general assembly in 1868. They were among the first African-American State legislators in the United States. Twenty-four of their members were ministers. Their only crime was the color of their skin. This blatant act of racism sets a dangerous precedent for future generations. In the turbulent times of the civil rights and antiwar movements, Mr. Julian Bond, a key figure in the founding of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, was elected to the Georgia House of Representatives in 1966. Amidst the struggle for justice and equality, the Georgia House refused to seat Mr. Julian Bond, alleging that his opposition to the Vietnam war rendered him unfit to serve. It took a Supreme Court ruling to overturn the decision and affirm Bond's right to serve in the State legislature.  Moreover, we cannot forget that even the United States Congress has denied African-American lawmakers their rights to seats. On February 27, 1869, Congress rejected John Willis Menard, the first Black man elected to the House of Representatives. Mr. Menard, a poet, newspaper publisher, and politician, secured a resounding victory in Louisiana's Second Congressional District. In November 1868, despite his triumph, his election was met with fierce opposition led by the defeated White candidate, Caleb S. Hunt. Then-Congressman James Garfield argued it was too soon ``for a Negro'' to join the Congress and that the seat should be declared vacant to save the $5,000 salary. As a result, Mr. Menard was never seated, and his constituents were denied representation until the next election. It is both disheartening and infuriating that even after more than 150 years since the end of the Civil War, we continue to grapple with the same injustices that have plagued our Nation since its inception. Racism remains deeply entrenched in our society, and the expulsion of Representative Justin Jones and Representative Justin Pearson in Tennessee is a stark reminder that our struggle for equality, justice, and fair representation is far from over. We as a nation have not made as much progress as we should have despite the countless sacrifices of our forebearers. Black people in America continue to face systemic oppression and are silenced in various forms. The legacy of slavery, segregation, sedition, and racial violence casts a long shadow over our society. However, it is in the face of adversity that we find our strength. Throughout history, Black Americans have persevered, united, and fought for their rights, standing tall against the forces that sought to silence them. From the brave men and women who stood up against racial segregation to the pioneering lawmakers who broke barriers in the State legislatures and Congress, their resilience and determination have paved the way for future generations. Now, it is our turn to carry the torch of progress. We must stand to demand an end to the injustices that continue to suppress the voices of our brothers and our sisters. We must actively dismantle the structures that perpetuate racism and inequality, ensuring that every citizen, regardless of the color of their skin, has the opportunity to thrive and make their voices heard. Let us draw inspiration from those who have come before us and forged a new path toward a brighter future. Let the bold parallels of the past guide us as we reshape the narrative, ensuring that the sacrifices of our ancestors were not made in vain. It is our responsibility as a nation to guarantee that every American, irrespective of race, has the right to be heard, respected, and valued. We are one Nation, indivisible, bound by our shared history and our common aspirations. Let us rise together and demand change not only for ourselves but for our children and our children's children. We must break the chains of injustice, end the cycle of discrimination, and ensure that our voices, the voices of Black Americans and all marginalized people, will never again be silenced.