Political Quotes

“I rise today to join my CBC colleagues, and so many others, in support of this bi-partisan resolution condemning the outrageously brutal slaying of Mr. James Byrd, Jr. on June 6, 1998 in Jasper County, East Texas. I also want to send my heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Byrd. I am gratified that this Congress has acted expeditiously to publicly express its collective outrage at this horrific incident. It is almost unfathomable that today, in 1998, we are still plagued by this kind of hatred. When I heard the details of this murder, my blood went cold, and chills went up my spine. The details are painful to hear, but it bears repeating so that we fully understand the severity of the problem. Mr. Byrd was walking home from his nice's bridal shower on June 6, 1998. As he walked home three young white men offered him a ride home. They then drove to a remote area 7 miles outside of town where they mercilessly beat him and then proceeded to chain him to the back of a pickup truck and dragged him until the torso of his body was torn to pieces. His head, neck and right arm were severed and located a mile away from his body. Fingerprints were the only means possible to identify the body. Mr. Byrd was a son, a brother, a father. He was known as a friendly spirit. Unfortunately, it was this friendliness and belief in humanity that led to his ultimate demise.”