Support of the "Privileged" Resolution Called by Rep. Bennie Thompson (MS) to Remove all Symbols Bearing the Confederate Flag from the Halls of the House Wing of the United States Capitol
Floor Speech
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Ms. CLARKE of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with my brothers and sisters of the Congressional Black Caucus, to stand in support of the ``privileged'' resolution called by Rep. BENNIE THOMPSON to remove the Confederate Flag where ever it may be represented within the House wing of the U.S. Capitol.
It is with great remorse that what took place on June 17, 2015 at the Emanuel AME bible study in Charleston, S.C. that claimed the lives of Sharonda Coleman-Singleton, Cynthia Hurd, Tywanza Sanders, Myra Thompson, Ethel Lance, Daniel Simmons, Depayne Middleton-Doctor, Susie Jackson, and South Carolina State Senator Rev. Clementa Pinckney had to be the catalyst to drive this motion after 150 years when this symbol was first surrendered.
For many Americans, this symbol has stood as a symbol of heritage under which their family has dug deep roots into our country.
But, this symbol was created in a time where our nation struggled to understand the very words written in our own Declaration of Independence, ``We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.''
Furthermore, troubled individuals and groups have taken to the symbol of the Confederate flag as an icon to portray their racist expression and actions against all groups whether in regards to their gender, sexuality, or race.
Much like the creation and defamation of the swastika in Europe, this symbol of hatred must not be a symbol in our present, but a symbol in our past.
I urge my colleagues in the House Administration to act in due diligence to bring this issue back to the House Floor for consideration so that we may do our duty as elected Representatives and respond to the voices of this great nation.
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