Sheila Jackson Lee: “Many of us have not spoken on the floor of the House on the horrific tragedy that occurred in Mother Emanuel Baptist…”

“Many of us have not spoken on the floor of the House on the horrific tragedy that occurred in Mother Emanuel Baptist church, our respect for our colleague from South Carolina; our respect for our assistant leader, Jim Clyburn; and our respect for the families that have buried their dead over the last week. Many of us joined the President in Charleston, South Carolina, for the funeral of Reverend Dr. Pinckney. Today, I rise to ask this body, reflecting on two amendments that were offered last night regarding the Confederate flag that were voted on by voice vote in the Interior bill, but I ask today the leadership to allow this House to look at three legislative initiatives that have been offered by Members based upon the Walker III v. Texas Division, Sons of Confederate Veterans case. I want my colleagues to know that the Supreme Court, including Justice Clarence Thomas, ruled that government speech did not warrant the utilization of the rebel flag. Finally, let me read to you the words about senator Pinckney. This is warranted. The President said: My liberty depends on you being free, too. History must be a manual for how to avoid repeating the mistakes of the past, how to break the cycle, a roadway toward a better world. He knew that the path of grace involves an open mind but, more importantly, an open heart. We need to debate on the floor of the House the symbols of hate in this Nation, and we need to do it now.…”