Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2016

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. JEFFRIES. Mr. Chairman, this amendment would prohibit the use of funds made available to the National Park Service by this Act for the purchase or display of a Confederate flag with the exception of specific circumstances when such flags provide historical context as set forth by the National Park Service in their memo to all park superintendents, dated June 24, 2015.

The National Park Service has jurisdiction over operation of the National Park System, associated sites such as national heritage areas, and various State grant accounts.

In light of recent events, the display of the Confederate flag has been at the forefront of discussion throughout our Nation. This amendment is consistent with a bipartisan effort across the country to promote harmony and not division in this great Nation.

On June 17, we were all shocked by the heinous massacre that took the lives of nine God-fearing African American churchgoers in Charleston, South Carolina. This act of domestic terror was carried out by an individual who idolized the Confederate flag and harbored racist beliefs, calling for a return to the human subjugation of others on the basis of race.

Unfortunately, that same Confederate flag flew on the grounds of the State capitol amidst the funeral of a State senator and dedicated pastor who taught that we are all God's children at the historic Emanuel AME Church.

We have come a long way in America, but we still have a long way to go in our march toward a more perfect Union. The cancer of racial hatred continues to adversely impact our society, and people of good will must unite to eradicate it. Limiting the use of Federal funds connected to the purchase or display of the Confederate flag is an important step in that direction.

Earlier today, lawmakers in South Carolina from both sides of the aisle came together to support removing the Confederate battle flag from their State capitol grounds. This evening, the United States House of Representatives has the opportunity to further limit the public display of this divisive symbol that is so closely associated with defense of the institution of slavery.

I thank the chairman and the ranking member for their consideration. For the aforementioned reasons, I urge my colleagues to support the amendment.

I yield to the distinguished gentlewoman from Minnesota.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source