May 16, 2019 - Issue: Vol. 165, No. 82 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 1st Session
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CONGRESS MUST BE INVOLVED AND ENGAGED; Congressional Record Vol. 165, No. 82
(House of Representatives - May 16, 2019)
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[Pages H3847-H3848] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] CONGRESS MUST BE INVOLVED AND ENGAGED The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Ruiz). The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson Lee) for 5 minutes. Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I have had the privilege of serving in this august body, and serving the American people and the people of the 18th Congressional District. Just a few minutes ago, I was at Arlington Cemetery participating in the wreath-laying ceremony for the women of the United States military, those who have fallen in battle, and recognizing young and new women members of the United States military. In fact, Sergeant Kelly, whom I honored, is in combat, having been given permission to be engaged in combat since 2015 by the Pentagon and the United States Defense Department. That means that I have the greatest respect for all of these men and women and take very seriously the issues of war and peace. I was here in the United States Congress during the heinous and devastating attack on this Nation on 9/11. I was here for Afghanistan and Iraq, the Kosovo war, the Bosnian war. Every one of those war zones I visited. I saw the men and women sacrifice. I take very seriously this issue of war. I am very concerned with the efforts now in the waters in the Mideast, with the intelligence that is alleged by the administration that is coming and this saber-rattling that is occurring, because the lives of our men and women will be put in harm's way. Congress must be engaged, and I demand that, beyond the immediate [[Page H3848]] briefing today, the Members of the United States Congress, those who care about national security, homeland security, be briefed as to why our vessels are there, others are headed there, and the allegations or suggestion that 120,000 troops will be moving in that direction. America is strong. We have no fear, but we have always been a defender, not an offender. Iran is not just any old country in the Mideast. Shamefully, we disengaged from the Iran nuclear deal--wrong decision, evidenced by what is happening today. You cannot backdoor conversations. You have to show yourself willing to negotiate with leaders from the position of facts and knowledge. I can't stomach the frivolous engagements and noninformation that is translating into our men and women put in harm's way. We must be involved and engaged. So I ask the administration to do so posthaste. I ask that we move forward with knowledge of what is going on, and each and every Member of this body and the other body should be knowledgeable about this point. I return to a local issue that has bothered me, and as a member of the Judiciary Committee, I want the family of Pamela Turner, who is now deceased, to know that I stand with them. I do not give a blanket assessment of the great law enforcement we have in this Nation, but I am appalled at the shooting death of an African American woman, Black woman, shot down in cold blood in the streets. Yes, this lady was walking her dogs in her apartment complex. There are suggestions that this individual was well-known to police and that there were some mental health issues, something that we have to fight against and give resources. Unfortunately, she was with warrants. I have no quarrel with people doing their job; but you are in your home, your apartment, walking your dogs, any other means could have been utilized to pick you up on warrants. You are not going anywhere. We know your address. Through an unfortunate interaction, altercation, the gun was taken out by a law enforcement officer, and she was shot five times--not once to wound, but five times. So this requires, for the comity of relationships and respect, a full Federal and State investigation--we cannot hide--just as I have indicated that shooting on Harding Street, recently, by officers requires a thorough and full investigation, which is going on right now. So I would simply say that because we are the land of the free and the brave, we are adherents to the Constitution and democracy and dignity and justice for all, this is an untenable and unacceptable act, that I could be walking my dogs, unarmed, and I proceed into an unfortunate circumstance which included a Taser, but then it results in the absolute ending of my life, and I may be a person who needed mental health assistance. I am deeply troubled to learn of the death of the Pamela Shantay Turner, who was shot and killed by a Baytown Police Officer. She was a mother of three children, and she died the day after Mother's Day. In the investigation following Ms. Turner's death, the officer indicated that he was patrolling as part of his duty, and recognized Ms. Turner from ``prior dealings'' and proceeded to commence an arrest but she resisted. Nothing in the record suggests any wrongdoing by Ms. Turner prior to this chance encounter with Baytown Police. Reports suggest the officer attempted to arrest Ms. Turner. The officer alleges Ms. Turner reached for his Taser and a lieutenant with the Baytown police claims that Ms. Turner actually tased the officer. According to the Baytown Police Department, the officer fired his duty weapon and struck multiple rounds at Ms. Turner. The shooting was recorded by a civilian and caught on cell phone video. After her death, it was revealed that Ms. Turner suffers from serious mental ailment. Prior to her death, Ms. Turner, 44, was heard stating that she was pregnant. After her death, this was determined not to be the case. I stand with the family of Pamela Turner. We must get to the truth; the facts and we will not relent until justice is served. The circumstances surrounding Ms. Turner's death are shocking and I demand a state and federal inquiry into her death. First, what predicate did the officer involved have in detaining Ms. Turner? Why were no efforts made to deescalate the controversy so that it did not end in a loss of life? And, if Ms. Turner was known to law enforcement in prior dealings, did they not also know about her mental state? In recent months, we have seen too many instances of these types of killings. During National Police Week we honor our officers and I abhor attacks on our brave law enforcement personnel. As a member of the House Judiciary Committee, I look forward to working with law enforcement to protect justly our citizens and them. This disturbing act should not have happened and should never be repeated. ____________________
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