Sheila Jackson Lee: “I thank the distinguished gentleman from Massachusetts for his leadership. How honored I am to be on the floor with…”

“I thank the distinguished gentleman from Massachusetts for his leadership. How honored I am to be on the floor with Richard Neal, who had a major and forceful engagement in bringing about the recognition of those who were murdered in 1972. I thank my friend and colleague on the other side of the aisle for joining in this bipartisan effort, and I reenforce Chairman Neal's comments about the bipartisan celebration of this great day and the great people of Ireland. I am happy to be on the floor on St. Patrick's Day, and I wish all of my constituents, and friends across the nation of the great green, a happy St. Patrick's Day. But I come to make sure this day, Bloody Sunday, is certainly not forgotten. I am so glad Chairman Neal indicated its inspiration came from the toil and the soldiers on the battlefield, Madam Speaker, our beloved friend John Lewis, in the civil rights movement, and those who are willing to sacrifice for their belief and justice. I am so glad that we ultimately found the truth to recognize John ``Jackie'' Duddy, Patrick ``Paddy'' Doherty, Bernard ``Barney'' McGuigan, Hugh Gilmour, Kevin McElhinney, Michael Kelly, John Young, William Nash, Michael McDaid, James ``Jim'' Wray, Gerald Donaghy, Gerald McKinney, William ``Willie'' McKinney, and John Johnston, who tragically lost their lives. As this resolution indicates, British soldiers came and shot them down. They did not understand their seeking of dignity and the rights that they had.…”