On the recordJuly 8, 2016
As a resident of Texas, representing parts of Houston, Texas, which includes the headquarters of the Houston Police Department, the Nation's heart is heavy and saddened. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the people of Dallas and to the families who have lost their fallen heroes. We respect all of those who are on the front line of allowing the American people to protest. We understand the young people, who are many colors and backgrounds, who felt compelled to protest the loss of life of two individuals. The law enforcement officers respected that, too. They understood the pain of Mr. Castile and Mr. Sterling's deaths. Always in America, we have been able to come as protesters under the Constitution, but we recognize that law and order is the standard of this Nation. As I pray for these families, I ask the Congresspersons to rise to the level of leaders and leadership to seek out unity. As I just spoke to the head of my police department, I extended my hand to be able to work together with community and police to bring us together because that is why we are a great Nation. In Houston on Sunday, we will march and mourn for those fallen, but we will be praying for nonviolence in this Nation. What I will say, Mr. Speaker, is that the words that are ugly of those who want to divide us, I will not hear them and I will not listen to them. I will only embrace and bring us together.…
