Sylvester Turner: “James Byrd, Junior, was a constituent of mine. His brutal death has shocked the conscience and saddened the hearts of…”

“James Byrd, Junior, was a constituent of mine. His brutal death has shocked the conscience and saddened the hearts of all of us. The people of Jasper, Texas, black and white, have joined in denouncing this tragic hate crime. Local law enforcement officials have called upon the Justice Department to assist in fully prosecuting the perpetrators, and are committed to seeking the maximum punishment authorized by State and Federal law, including the death penalty. I have personally urged the United States attorney to prosecute with the full force of Federal civil rights laws. For all of us who believe that racial prejudice and hatred have no place in American society, this tragic event is a reminder that much is left to be done, that no American is safe until every American treats his neighbor with dignity, regardless of the color of his skin. Let us today renew our commitment to root out the vestiges of racial prejudice, that the tragic death of James Byrd be not in vain. I urge Members' support for this resolution for the Byrd family, for the people of Jasper, and for the American people.”