J.C. Watts: “In the last week, churches have burned in North Carolina, Texas, Oklahoma, and Georgia. Fires are destroying our houses…”

“In the last week, churches have burned in North Carolina, Texas, Oklahoma, and Georgia. Fires are destroying our houses of worship like an unchecked scourge. With each fire, we have all felt the loss because any church that is burned in our church, for every house of worship is a symbol of our faith in God and our right to worship according to the dictates of our own conscience. As evil as these church burnings are, we must avoid becoming consumed by our anger. For as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., taught us, darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that. To begin to heal, to drive away the darkness, we must bring back the light, the light of love, the light of hope. First we must apprehend those who are responsible for the fires and prosecute them to the full extent of the law. This bill will help to do that. Second and more importantly, we must come together to rebuild our churches and communities. Our actions must show the world that we will not sit idly by when the unity and religious freedom of our nation are attacked. I commend the gentleman from Illinois, Chairman Hyde, and the gentleman from Michigan, Mr. Conyers, for producing H.R. 3525. I call on the House to pass this bill unanimously to send the strongest possible message that this Congress will do all within its power to stop the fires and help the healing again.”