Andre Carson: “Mr. Chairman, I, too, would like to encourage the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Rogers) to allow this free and open…”

“Mr. Chairman, I, too, would like to encourage the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Rogers) to allow this free and open dialogue concerning the good work of CRS to go forward. One of the healthy things about the American democracy is that people do have an opportunity of free speech, open and healthy debate and dialogue, in support of their views and opinions, and I would trust that we would not in any way interrupt that in this very beautiful process called the United States Congress. The gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee) has offered a very potent amendment. We cannot ignore the problem of the lingering racism in our society in recent months. We have seen racism expressed in violent and grizzly fashion. The Nation was horrified when James Byrd was dragged to his death behind a pickup truck in Jasper, Texas, just because he was African American. The Community Relations Service played a key role in keeping the community of Jasper together after this tragic incident and prevented the spread of more violent racial incidents. Mr. Chairman, CRS services help local communities prevent racial conflicts and violence, and I would trust that we would continue to ensure that the amendment of the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee) is in fact upheld for this vital and necessary and humanitarian endeavor.”