Symbols, History, and Congressional Responses
by: Marci Harris – June 28, 2015
On June 17, 2015, nine parishioners were shot and killed in a prayer group at a historically black church in Charleston, South Carolina, "Mother Emanuel" A.M.E. A racist manifesto emerged a few days later along with photos of the killer posing with the Confederate flag. Charleston community members responded to the tragedy by gathering to pray and mourn. In a stunning courtroom scene, victims’ families tearfully told the killer: "I forgive you."
On Monday, South Carolina’s Republican Governor, Nikki Haley, called for the removal of the Confederate flag from state grounds. Members of Congress responded throughout the week with statements and bills introduced to commemorate the tragedy and honor the victims.
• S.Res.212, sponsored by Sen. Tim Scott [R, SC] — "A resolution condemning the attack on Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina, and expressing encouragement and prayers for all affected by this evil assault."
On Friday, President Obama President Obama eulogized South Carolina state senator, Reverand Clementa Pinckney, with a reflection on "Grace": Grace displayed by the victim's families and people in Charleston and around the country who responded peacefully to the tragedy. Grace of the black church and its special place in the history of the United States. He directly addressed the immorality of slavery and the question of whether the Confederate flag should fly over public spaces; the legacy of Jim Crow and its repercussions in our economy, schools, and prisons; unconscious institutional bias in hiring; gun violence; and a need for national unity.
Below, we highlight some of the bills related to the policies and issues raised in the President's speech. Follow the links to share your thoughts with Congress — in support or opposition.
Removing the [Confederate] flag from this state’s capital would not be an act of political correctness. It would not an insult to the valor of Confederate soldiers…
- H.Res.344 — Urging the discontinued use of the Confederate battle flag, which represents pain, humiliation, torture, and racial oppression, in remembrance of the Emanuel 9.
- S.1689 – A bill to amend title 23, United States Code, to reduce the funding available for a State under the national highway performance program and the surface transportation program if the State issues a license plate that contains an image of a flag of the Confederate States of America, including the Battle Flag of the Confederate States of America.
- H.Res.342 — Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives regarding the enhancement of unity in America.
It would simply be acknowledgement that the cause for which they fought — the cause of slavery — was wrong.
- H.R.40 — Commission to Study Reparation Proposals for African-Americans Act
- H.Res.316 — Observing the historical significance of Juneteenth Independence Day.
… so that we search our hearts when we consider laws to make it harder for some of our fellow citizens to vote…
- H.J. Res 25: Right to Vote Constitutional Amendment
- H.Res. 123: Expressing Support for Designation of August 6 as National Voting Rights Day
- H.R. 12: The Voter Empowerment Act
- H.R. 411: The Streamlined and Improved Methods at Polling Locations and Early (SIMPLE) Voting Act
- H.R. 885: The Voting Rights Amendment Act
- H.R. 1459, H.R. 1556 and S. 772: A bill to secure the federal voting rights of persons when released from incarceration
- S. 457: The Civil Rights Voting Restoration Act
Perhaps it softens hearts towards those lost young men, tens and tens of thousands caught up in the criminal-justice system and lead us to make sure that that system’s not infected with bias.
- H.Res.322: Recognizing the importance of providing services to children of incarcerated parents.
- S. 502 and H.R. 920: Smarter Sentencing Act
- H.R. 1255: Fairness in Cocaine Sentencing Act
- H.R. 1252: Fair Sentencing Clarification Act
- H.R. 706 and S. 353: Justice Safety Valve Act
- H.R. 1254: Recidivism Clarification Act
- H.R. 1253: Prisoner Incentive Act
- H.R. 71: Federal Prison Bureau Nonviolent Offender Relief Act
- H.R. 871: Formerly Incarcerated Voter Registration Act
… that we embrace changes in how we train and equip our police so that the bonds of trust between law enforcement… and the communities they serve make us all safer and more secure.
- H.R.1680: Police CAMERA Act
- S.877: Police CAMERA Act
- H.Res.262: Supporting the practice of community-oriented policing and encouraging diversity hiring and retention in law enforcement.
- H.R.1232 and S.1441: Stop Militarizing Law Enforcement Act
For too long, we’ve been blind to the unique mayhem that gun violence inflicts upon this nation.
- H.R.226 – Keeping Guns from High Risk Individuals Act
- H.Res.289: Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that gun violence is a public health issue and Congress should enact by the end of the 114th Congress comprehensive Federal legislation that protects the Second Amendment and keeps communities safe and healthy, including expanding enforceable background checks for all commercial gun sales, improving the mental health system in the United States, and making gun trafficking and straw purchasing a Federal crime.
- S.1473 — A bill to authorize the appropriation of funds to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for conducting or supporting research on firearms safety or gun violence prevention.
- H.R.1745 — Support Assault Firearms Elimination and Reduction for our Streets Act
- H.R.2612 — To authorize the appropriation of funds to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for conducting or supporting research on firearms safety or gun violence prevention.
- H.R.2546 — Firearm Risk Protection Act (requiring firearms purchasers to have liability insurance)
The President closed by calling each victim by name. He sang "Amazing Grace" from the pulpit and finished by asking that "Grace continue to bless the UNITED States of America."
Please keep in mind that highlighting a bill doesn't imply a POPVOX endorsement in any way. Rather, we're simply trying to offer one more way to stay informed of a complex legislative system.
