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“STORIES IN THE NEWS” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Justice was published in the House of Representatives section on pages H5603 on July 29, 2015.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
STORIES IN THE NEWS
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson Lee) for 5 minutes.
Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great privilege, first of all, to speak about the first item of interest to America and to many of us as certainly when the President represents the United States of America overseas. I had the privilege of traveling with the President for a most dynamic, unique, and historic mission, and that was to Kenya and Ethiopia.
Let me congratulate him for a stupendous diplomatic success and interaction with a continent that will be the largest populated land area in the 21st century. What an amazing experience to be able to engage with businesses and see the opportunity for economic empowerment and cooperation between the United States and the many nation-states of the continent of Africa.
It was exciting to see new, young businesspersons seeking an opportunity to work in their countries, but work with the United States, eager to work with U.S. businesses, welcoming U.S. investment, creating jobs in Africa, creating jobs in America--in particular, a broadcasting company that had been there for 50 years creating jobs in the United States, creating jobs in Kenya.
Let me indicate what a success this story was. Along with the regional security issues, there was a commitment with the African Union to stand against Boko Haram and a commitment to establish civility and peace in South Sudan by demanding that there be a resolution of this by August 17--not the President standing alone, but working with the African Union, representing the tens upon tens of African nations, it was a resounding success, and I congratulate the President.
As I come home and as a member of the Committee on the Judiciary, I am reminded of the tragedy of a young woman who had all of her life before her, and that was Sandra Bland.
My commitment still is to offer my appreciation to the law enforcement officers across America and, as we all do, respect law and order; but in the instance where there is a tragic result, the death of this young woman, 28, with two undergraduate degrees and a master's degree, her death was the result of malfeasance.
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We must walk together in a respectful manner with law enforcement and civilians. We have done it before. We must do it again.
I believe that it is crucial for the Department of Justice to take over this investigation on a number of aspects, including patting down and other practices of law enforcement in Waller County and Hempstead, and certainly the question of this young lady's civil rights.
I ask that they look seriously, because even though there are alleged good intentions by the local authorities in establishing committees to review this, this is not regular order, this is not a procedure that works. No one understands the decision of a district attorney--unless he yields to an independent prosecutor, which this district attorney in Waller County is not--to have a committee of individuals with no authority whatsoever review this matter.
People and families are in pain. Certainly, we can do better as law enforcement and civilians working together.
I also want to recognize that this is the 50th year of the Voting Rights Act. I join the leadership of Nancy Pelosi, Mr. Hoyer, and Mr. Clyburn in celebrating and acknowledging this exciting time that opened the doors of voting for everyone. One vote, one person.
On August 6, I call upon my community in the 18th Congressional District in Houston to have a voting day--registering people to vote in a nonpartisan manner, bringing them out and celebrating the right to vote, when many countries do not have it.
Let's make the Voting Rights reauthorization the cause of this Congress. Let's have Americans celebrate voting rights.
Finally, Mr. Speaker, let me say this. While I was in Africa, one of the headlines was the killing of Cecil, a beautiful lion. The nations I visited were falling to their knees because they believe in wildlife preservation. We enjoy it here in our Nation's zoos. We haven't had that privilege of seeing these wonderful animals--giraffes, lions, tigers, and a whole array--in the wild.
It was an American who killed this beautiful lion. What a disgrace. That individual is a disgrace. This individual had the responsibility for knowing of his guides and of the procedures of doing this kill for sport. He lured the animal out of the park.
America must stand with Kenya, Ethiopia, and the other African nations in showing its outrage. Sadly, it was a citizen of the United States who was more interested in his personal privilege and pleasure than he was in understanding this iconic lion--the last male species of this kind, with a black mane and a giant of a personality--and helping to preserve this species. He couldn't find any other joy than killing Cecil. I am saddened by this, and America should be saddened as well.
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