Sen. Cornyn Applauds Senate Passage Of Civil Rights Bill

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Sen. Cornyn Applauds Senate Passage Of Civil Rights Bill

Bipartisan legislation creates federal offices to reopen criminal cases prior to 1970, bring criminals to justice

U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, applauded Senate passage of the bipartisan Emmett Till Unsolved Civil Rights Crime Act, S. 535. Sen. Cornyn co-sponsored the bill, which allows the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to reopen Civil Rights-era criminal cases prior to 1970.

"By passing this landmark legislation, we have demonstrated a commitment to solving these despicable crimes and advancing the cause of justice for all Americans," Sen. Cornyn said. "Unfortunately, in many states there are still unsolved Civil Rights crimes, but today's actions will help us to take one step further in bringing the criminals to justice and providing long-overdue answers to victims' friends and family members."

The Emmett Till Unsolved Civil Rights Crime Act establishes an Unsolved Crimes Section in the Civil Rights Division of the DOJ and an Unsolved Civil Rights Crime Investigative Office in the Civil Rights Unit of the FBI. Both offices will be responsible for investigating unsolved criminal civil rights cases, prior to January 1, 1970, that resulted in death. It will strengthen cooperation between federal, state, and local law enforcement officers and prosecutors. The bill authorizes $10 million annually over 10 years, with additional funds included for local law enforcement agencies.

The legislation was named after teenager Emmett Till, who was murdered and mutilated in Money, Mississippi in 1955.

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