Emmett Till Antilynching Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. GREEN of Texas. Madam Speaker, I thank the chairperson, and the ranking member as well, for bringing this legislation to the floor today. I also thank the majority leader, who happens to be in the room.

Madam Speaker, this piece of legislation is more than 100 years in the making, and it does deal with lynching, but truth be told, more than a lynching took place.

Emmett Till's body was mutilated. He was shot in the head, and he was thrown in the Tallahatchie River. His mother insisted on an open casket. This was the thing that sent shock waves across this country, causing people to rethink what was happening in the South.

Yes, he was lynched. Yes, this is the unfinished business of this House. And we have much more unfinished business.

Madam Speaker, I do want to commend Congressman Bobby Rush for the outstanding job that he has done, as well as his cosponsors, in bringing this legislation to the floor. It is time. In fact, it is past time. And I am grateful that this House is taking up this legislation.

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