On the recordJune 11, 1998
Mr. Speaker, this is the end, not the beginning of the century, but this crime is a throwback to the sorriest period of American history, and reminds us that that history is not all done yet. Those who deprecated the President's race commission, take notice. Race is more complicated today. This, however, is real simple. This is the worst of American racism, this is racist terrorism. I commend the local sheriff who made the arrests. I ask that the Federal officials remain involved until justice is done. At the same time, I remind this body that if these were black men, we would be rushing them to the death penalty now, and as a principled opponent of the death penalty, I stand here to ask that these men not be executed. This country does not need to execute black men and it does not need to execute white men. I part company with those blacks in Texas that have called for execution. I ask that these men get life without parole.
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