Title: A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that the tragic death of George Floyd was unjust and the perpetrators must stand trial and be brought to justice, the First Amendment of the Constitution guarantees individuals the right to peaceably assemble and protest, groups like Antifa and the individuals who took over peaceful protests with violence, chaos, looting, and destruction should be held accountable for their actions, the attacks on law enforcement, individuals, small businesses, and communities are causing death, injury and millions of dollars in damage, the vast majority of men and women in law enforcement work tirelessly and risk their lives to protect the people of the United States without prejudice, police departments are the cornerstone for maintaining a society of order, calls to defund the police threaten the safety and security of the people of the United States, Congress will continue to appropriate funding to local law enforcement agencies that bolster police efforts, and the Nation must come together in healing, reconciliation, and prayer to reaffirm that every life is sacred, our society must strive for equality, and that we will work to ensure a tragedy like George Floyd's never happens again in the United States.
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement

Summary:
This resolution expresses the sense of the Senate that it is U.S. policy to commemorate the life of George Floyd, to urge an end to violence damaging lives and businesses, and to urge leaders to adjust the training of law enforcement to ensure equal treatment under the law.

[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 612 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

<DOC>






116th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 612

  Expressing the sense of the Senate that the tragic death of George 
 Floyd was unjust and the perpetrators must stand trial and be brought 
    to justice, the First Amendment of the Constitution guarantees 
 individuals the right to peaceably assemble and protest, groups like 
    Antifa and the individuals who took over peaceful protests with 
 violence, chaos, looting, and destruction should be held accountable 
 for their actions, the attacks on law enforcement, individuals, small 
businesses, and communities are causing death, injury, and millions of 
     dollars in damage, the vast majority of men and women in law 
enforcement work tirelessly and risk their lives to protect the people 
  of the United States without prejudice, police departments are the 
  cornerstone for maintaining a society of order, calls to defund the 
  police threaten the safety and security of the people of the United 
  States, Congress will continue to appropriate funding to local law 
 enforcement agencies that bolster police efforts, and the Nation must 
 come together in healing, reconciliation, and prayer to reaffirm that 
every life is sacred, our society must strive for equality, and that we 
 will work to ensure a tragedy like George Floyd's never happens again 
                         in the United States.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                              June 9, 2020

Mrs. Loeffler submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
                     the Committee on the Judiciary

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
  Expressing the sense of the Senate that the tragic death of George 
 Floyd was unjust and the perpetrators must stand trial and be brought 
    to justice, the First Amendment of the Constitution guarantees 
 individuals the right to peaceably assemble and protest, groups like 
    Antifa and the individuals who took over peaceful protests with 
 violence, chaos, looting, and destruction should be held accountable 
 for their actions, the attacks on law enforcement, individuals, small 
businesses, and communities are causing death, injury, and millions of 
     dollars in damage, the vast majority of men and women in law 
enforcement work tirelessly and risk their lives to protect the people 
  of the United States without prejudice, police departments are the 
  cornerstone for maintaining a society of order, calls to defund the 
  police threaten the safety and security of the people of the United 
  States, Congress will continue to appropriate funding to local law 
 enforcement agencies that bolster police efforts, and the Nation must 
 come together in healing, reconciliation, and prayer to reaffirm that 
every life is sacred, our society must strive for equality, and that we 
 will work to ensure a tragedy like George Floyd's never happens again 
                         in the United States.

Whereas, on Sunday, May 24, 2020, George Floyd of Minneapolis, Minnesota, was 
        tragically killed by police officers who were subsequently and 
        rightfully removed from their roles in serving the public, and were 
        arrested and charged in connection with Floyd's death;
Whereas the Senate finds that the rule of law in the United States is undermined 
        when law enforcement officers engage in conduct inconsistent with equal 
        treatment, justice, and the Constitution of the United States;
Whereas since the death of George Floyd, peaceful protests by thousands of 
        citizens exercising their First Amendment rights across the Nation have 
        taken place;
Whereas unfortunately in a number of cities, many individuals have used this 
        time of meaningful, peaceful protest and mourning to riot, loot 
        businesses, and burn police cars and churches;
Whereas radical organizations like Antifa have sadly used the death of George 
        Floyd to organize and sow violence in our communities and should be held 
        accountable;
Whereas radical protesters defaced the Department of Veterans Affairs 
        headquarters and the World War II Memorial, dishonoring the brave men 
        and women who have served in the Armed Services;
Whereas radical protesters defaced the Lincoln Memorial, the place where the 
        March on Washington began, that momentous occasion in the history of 
        civil rights;
Whereas radical protesters burned St. John's Church, a church that supported the 
        bold civil rights moment of the March on Washington;
Whereas these actions taken by radical protesters do not honor the legacy of 
        George Floyd nor further a rational cause, and those acting as violent 
        anarchists and the members of Antifa are taking advantage of the pain of 
        people and the pain of the peaceful protesters;
Whereas protests are a normal and healthy part of democracy, while acts of 
        violence, looting, and arson should not be tolerated;
Whereas in multiple cities, police and other law enforcement personnel have been 
        intentionally attacked, injured, and killed, and many voices are 
        radically calling to defund the police;
Whereas the vast majority of police officers do their job bravely and 
        righteously and are committed to ensuring that racism plays no part in 
        law enforcement and that everyone receives equal protection under the 
        law; and
Whereas the United States has a moral and constitutional obligation to protect 
        the life, liberty, and property of all individuals, including from abuse 
        from those we entrust to defend public safety and from domestic 
        terrorists and violent, anti-democratic activists: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That it is the sense of the Senate that it is the policy 
of the United States--
            (1) to commemorate the life of George Floyd through 
        official recognition and remembrance;
            (2) that the First Amendment guarantees every individual 
        citizen the right to peacefully assemble and protest;
            (3) to urge an immediate end to the violence leading to the 
        damage of lives and businesses across United States so that the 
        Nation can come together in healing, dialogue, reconciliation, 
        and prayer;
            (4) to urge leaders at every level of government to examine 
        and enhance the training of law enforcement to ensure equal 
        treatment and protection under the law; and
            (5) to urge States and local governments to provide the 
        funding and support necessary for law enforcement and first 
        responders to protect the life, liberty, and property of every 
        individual in the United States regardless of their race, 
        color, or nationality.
                                 <all>