On the recordJuly 9, 2015
Let me thank the distinguished gentleman from New Jersey for his kindness. Might I rise, really, to follow up to ask America to be unified and to be able to have a debate on the floor of the House on a resolution that I offered, H. Res. 342. To the gentleman from New Jersey, it says ``the enhancement of unity in America.'' What it speaks to is for this body to go on the record for saying that divisive emblems and symbols--swastikas or a rebel flag, a fighting flag--does not even represent the flag that most people think it is--the Confederate flag, this is the rebel flag--to put all those away; to be able to educate our children about the excitement of how diverse we are; to be reminded of the history of Reconstruction-- African Americans who are Senators and Congresspersons; to look at schools who now carry names of people who really might be considered treasonists; to be able to stand on the floor today or next week, as those in South Carolina did, in a civil way, so that our children will know that these symbols that divide are not history; and to be able to stand together and support the diversity of America. That is what I stand for, and I stand with Houston, who is reconsidering many school names at this time. ____________________
