On the recordJune 25, 2020
My friends on the other side of the aisle are consistently being persistent in the language of why process for them is more important than saving lives. I answer the question with a little book called the Constitution of the United States, which on this day we hope that we will make it holier and more potent for the large numbers of African American men and women who have seen the brunt of racial profiling and police brutality. Now, let me be very clear. In the opening of this Constitution, it tracks the language that says we are created for a more perfect union. Centuries later, Dr. Martin Luther King asked the question of why we can't wait to be allowed to be full citizens in this Nation as African Americans. He also said now is the time. So when a Member asked me about the moment of this bill, this day, I said: There are few seismic moments on the floor of the House. There are few catastrophic earthquake moments that change lives and save lives. Today, we cannot wait. Amadou Diallo could not wait more than 20, 30 years ago. Now, we have legislation that will be a significant civil rights moment in our history. I am very pleased to have introduced the Law Enforcement Trust and Integrity Act with my colleagues that does help police, that does require the accreditation of 18,000 police departments.…
