Janice Hahn: “I would like to also thank the gentlewoman from New Jersey for allowing me to add my voice to this discussion.…”

“I would like to also thank the gentlewoman from New Jersey for allowing me to add my voice to this discussion. Certainly, all Americans were devastated by the brutal murder of nine people, including Senator Pinckney, while they were attending Wednesday night Bible study at Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston. Their killer was motivated by racism, bigotry, and even had pictures of himself displaying Confederate memorabilia. The people of South Carolina and their political representatives have engaged in serious conversations about race, about healing, and how to deal with their State's history. South Carolina's Governor signed a bill a few hours ago to take down that Confederate battle flag from the grounds of the State capitol where it has flown for 50 years, and as South Carolina was moving to take down that flag, some right here were moving in the opposite direction. Earlier today, I took to this House floor to express my outrage that my friends on the other side of the aisle had offered a surprise amendment last night to allow the Confederate battle flag to be displayed in our national parks and at Federal cemeteries, just a couple of days after this body voted to remove that Confederate battle flag from our national parks. Many of my colleagues, including those participating in this Special Order tonight, joined in speaking out; and as a result, I think we succeeded in stopping them from bringing that amendment to a vote.…”