Congressional Record United States Th of America PROCEEDINGS and DEBATES of the 117 CONGRESS, FIRST SESSION
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E PL UR UM IB N U U S Congressional Record United States th of America PROCEEDINGS AND DEBATES OF THE 117 CONGRESS, FIRST SESSION Vol. 167 WASHINGTON, TUESDAY, APRIL 20, 2021 No. 68 House of Representatives The House met at 10 a.m. and was Congratulations to VFW Post 632 on So I rise in the name of liberty and called to order by the Speaker. this great achievement, and I wish justice for all, understanding that we f them another 100 years of success. have an opportunity now to dem- f onstrate to the world that we will not MORNING-HOUR DEBATE allow an arresting officer to be judge, LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL The SPEAKER. Pursuant to the jury, prosecutor, and executioner. But order of the House of January 4, 2021, The SPEAKER pro tempore (Ms. I also understand, given the history of the Chair will now recognize Members ESHOO). The Chair recognizes the gen- this country, unfortunately, that from lists submitted by the majority tleman from Texas (Mr. GREEN) for 5 things don’t always work out as I be- and minority leaders for morning-hour minutes. lieve they should. debate. Mr. GREEN of Texas. Madam Speak- So my hope is that there will be The Chair will alternate recognition er, I rise in the name of liberty and jus- peaceful protests, but I do hope that between the parties, with time equally tice for all. I rise in the name of liberty the protests will take place if there is allocated between the parties and each and justice for all because the criminal not a just verdict. There is nothing Member other than the majority and justice system is on trial. It is on trial wrong with peaceful protests in this minority leaders and the minority in the court of world opinion. It is on country. There is nothing wrong with whip limited to 5 minutes, but in no trial for crimes committed against confronting injustice in this country. event shall debate continue beyond human beings in this country. There is nothing wrong with standing 11:50 a.m. Some of the complainants would in- up for the rights of those who are being f clude Eric Garner, Tamir Rice, denied liberty and justice for all in this Breonna Taylor, George Floyd. country. RECOGNIZING RION-BOWMAN VFW I rise in the name of liberty and jus- I want to see peaceful protests if the POST tice for all because we have reached a wrong verdict is rendered. And, in my The SPEAKER. The Chair recognizes point in our history wherein there is opinion, the verdict that we should the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. one case now that seems to have have is arresting officers can’t be CLINE) for 5 minutes. reached the pinnacle of the system, judge, jury, prosecutor, and execu- Mr. CLINE. Madam Speaker, I rise such that everyone is waiting to see tioner. There are those who would say today to recognize the Rion-Bowman how this case will eventually address that I don’t have the right to come to VFW Post in Harrisonburg, Virginia, liberty and justice for all. these conclusions at this time, and which recently celebrated its 100th an- One of the complaints is that in this they are wrong. niversary. country we have allowed arresting offi- In the court of public opinion, world Founded in 1921, VFW Post 632 was cers, that we confer enormous power opinion, many have already come to the first Veterans of Foreign War chap- on, literally, the power to execute this same conclusion. I am merely ter founded in the Shenandoah Valley when necessary. echoing what they have said. As such, and is one of the oldest in the Com- But the question is: Will these arrest- I am a messenger, and the message is: monwealth of Virginia. ing officers not only have the power to Let’s pray for a just decision in the Combat veterans of every conflict arrest, but also the power to be judge, court of world opinion. since World War I have called this post jury, prosecutor, and executioner? f home, and it has been led by 73 dedi- This is the question before the court cated commanders over the years. of world opinion. HONORING THE LIFE OF JUDGE Current Senior Vice Commander We have a case that embraces dec- HARRY WALKER WELLFORD Christopher Rexrode noted the signifi- ades, perhaps even centuries of mis- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The cance of celebrating this milestones deeds. My hope is that we will receive Chair recognizes the gentleman from during the pandemic, which has forced a just ruling. My prayer is that, if Tennessee (Mr. KUSTOFF) for 5 minutes. far too many veterans’ clubs across the there is not a just ruling, we will have Mr. KUSTOFF. Madam Speaker, I country to close. He is thankful his peaceful protests. I believe in peaceful rise today to honor the life and legacy post has been able to keep its doors protests. I have gone to jail partici- of Judge Harry Walker Wellford, who open and continue to serve as a place pating in peaceful protests. I have gone passed away Saturday, April 17. for veterans to gather, connect, and to jail with John Lewis participating Judge Wellford was a third-genera- share experiences and comradery on a in peaceful protests. Twice, he and I tion Memphian, who dedicated his life daily basis. were jailed together. to serving his community through the b This symbol represents the time of day during the House proceedings, e.g., b 1407 is 2:07 p.m. Matter set in this typeface indicates words inserted or appended, rather than spoken, by a Member of the House on the floor. H1957 ® Pdnted on recycled papfil. VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:33 Apr 21, 2021 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A20AP7.000 H20APPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with HOUSE H1958 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE April 20, 2021 justice system, and also dedicated his Mr. ESPAILLAT. Madam Speaker, End the choke hold. End the no- life to his family. yesterday, April 19, marked the 32nd knock warrants. Transform our crimi- Judge Wellford started serving his anniversary of a terrible assault, a sex- nal justice system. End over-policing community in our great country at a ual assault in Central Park that of Black and Brown people. Abolish the young age. Like so many of his genera- marked the history and marked really death penalty. Dismantle the institu- tion, the Greatest Generation, Harry the story of New York City. tions that are rooted in white suprem- served our Nation fighting in the Pa- But it was also one that resulted in acy. cific theater during World War II. After the wrongful arrest and conviction of b 1015 serving our Nation overseas, Harry five young Black and Latino boys for a Wellford returned to his home State of crime that they did not commit. For No one should have to lose their life Tennessee to obtain his law degree years, they were known as the Central or be robbed of their future, Madam from Vanderbilt University. Park Five. But after years of injustice Speaker, because we didn’t step up and In the 1960s, a turbulent time for our and now long after being exonerated, fix our broken system. We know that is Nation and for Memphis, Harry they are now known as the Exonerated not justice. Wellford was an active member of the Five. Madam Speaker, 32 years ago, five biracial Memphis Relations Com- These young men were minors. They young men from Harlem were robbed of mittee, serving for the betterment of were really young boys who were inno- their future, but alas they rose above the Memphis community. cent of every single crime they were and stand tall today as leaders, advo- It was during this time that Harry charged of, and still spent from 6 to 13 cates, and activists fighting tirelessly Wellford became politically active, years behind bars. They have faced a to reimagine how we see justice in our leading the west Tennessee efforts for horrendous story. country. They have given back to their Howard Baker’s campaign for the They have names. They have faces. communities and to our country, and United States Senate; and then, in 1970, They have first names and last names, we thank them for their perseverance, managing the Statewide campaign for and they are: Antron McCray, Kevin for using their voices for change and his good friend, Winfield Dunn, to be- Richardson, Yusef Salaam, Raymond for coming here to this Capitol tomor- come Governor of Tennessee. Santana, and Korey Wise. They will be row. Harry had a good and successful law here in the Capitol, Madam Speaker, I hope that we use this anniversary practice and was well-regarded in the tomorrow. on both sides of the aisle as a reminder legal community. It was for these rea- Each one of these young men were of how much work still needs to be sons that Harry was nominated for a deprived of their childhoods, of their done to transform our institutions to Federal judgeship in 1970 by then-Presi- innocence, and, most important, of serve every single one of us. dent Richard Nixon. Judge Wellford their future. Racial bias and bigotry f was unanimously confirmed as district were at the crux of these young men court judge. Later, President Ronald HONORING JOANNE POWELL being deprived of their civil liberties. Reagan nominated Judge Wellford for It is an old tale.