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[Page S2630]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
REMEMBERING GEORGE FLOYD
Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, I rise today at a time of great sorrow,
anger, and fear for our Nation. We face the confluence of a health
crisis, an economic depression, and a killing that laid bare the racial
injustice that still taints our country.
The horrific death of George Floyd in Minnesota was reprehensible. It
was beyond a tragedy. It was a crime.
As Americans, we all need to frankly acknowledge and work to resolve
our longstanding, ongoing struggles with racial inequality. The
President should help to heal the racial divisions in this country. It
is at times like this that a President needs to speak to the Nation to
pledge to right wrongs and to calm inflamed passions.
The right to gather in protest of injustice is enshrined in our
Constitution. The desire for reconciliation is in our national
character. We must join together to ensure that the legacy of George
Floyd is of progress, not deepening division and hatred.
Let me be clear. The vast majority of our law enforcement officers
are brave men and women devoted to protecting our families, our
belongings, and our communities. They deserve our heartfelt gratitude
as they willingly risk their lives for ours when danger strikes.
In Maine, we are fortunate to have so many terrific professional law
enforcement officers devoted to their duty and devoted to doing what is
right.
It is, however, imperative that we examine and act on the racial
disparities in law enforcement where they occur.
I cannot believe that George Floyd would have had his neck stepped on
and the life squeezed out of him had he been White. Sadly, there are
many other examples as well.
I remember our own Senator Tim Scott describing his being stopped by
a police officer while driving many times during one year, even though
he was abiding by all the traffic laws. That is harassment and simply
wrong.
In confronting these problems, we would do well to heed the words of
Congressman Lewis in response to the violence that overwhelmed peaceful
protests in his city of Atlanta last weekend. Of course, we all know
that the Congressman is a civil rights icon as well as an extraordinary
Member of Congress. He said this:
Justice has, indeed, been denied for far too long. Rioting,
looting, and burning is not the way. Organize. Demonstrate.
Sit-in. Stand-up. Vote. Be constructive, not destructive.
History has proven time and again that non-violent, peaceful
protest is the way to achieve the justice and equality that
we all deserve.
Those are powerful words from Congressman Lewis. Those are words that
should motivate and guide all of us.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., once said:
Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that.
Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.
By continuing to listen to one another and being guided by the words
of Congressman Lewis, Dr. Martin Luther King, and the mayor of Atlanta,
we can work toward improving social justice and eliminating racial
disparities in this country, and we can drive out the forces of
bigotry.
Thank you.
I yield the floor.
I suggest the absence of a quorum.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
Ms. CANTWELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order
for the quorum call be rescinded.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
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