Cleo Fields: “Mr. Speaker, the burning of churches in this country is unacceptable and will not be tolerated in any shape, form or…”

“Mr. Speaker, the burning of churches in this country is unacceptable and will not be tolerated in any shape, form or fashion. This legislation will give Federal prosecutors the tools they need to prosecute those perpetrators of the crime to the fullest extent of the law. Mr. Speaker, I come from a State that has witnessed over five burnings in the past 4 months, four in one night alone. I want to thank the gentleman from Michigan and thank the gentleman from Illinois for bringing this very important piece of legislation to the floor and would like to say in no uncertain terms that this Congress will not tolerate individuals burning churches.”