The president and thank him for what hes doing and a i pray we get a fair hearing on h. R. 5407. God bless you, brother, and i hope you continue to do what youre doing on the floor of the house. Mr. Jeffries thank you. Its now my honor and privilege to yield time, mr. Chair, how much time do we have remaining . The speaker pro tempore approximately 14 minutes are remaining. Mr. Jeffries let me now yield to my good friend, the distinguished congresswoman who represents the neighboring district at home in brooklyn, shes a fighter for justice, a voice for the voiceless, and its now my privilege to yield to congresswoman yvette clarke. Ms. Clarke hands up, dont shoot. I thank my colleague and friend, mr. Jeffries of brooklyn new yorker for his tremendous leadership both from brooklyn, new york, for his tremendous leadership both here in washington, d. C. , and in new york. I rise to join my colleagues in the congressional a black caucus to discuss being black in america and what the injustice in ferguson, missouri, says about where we are and where we need to go as a civil society. I first want to once again offer my condolences to the family of Michael Brown whose efforts to secure justice on behalf of their son were undermined by the decision of the grand jury. The killing of Michael Brown and aa tacks by the ferguson and attacks by the Ferguson Police department on protesters demonstrate an assumption that young women and men who are africanamerican are inherently suspicious, a false assumption with deadly consequences. So where do we go from here . We must not allow this false assumption to prevail in our nation in our society. We cannot and will not accept the deval situation of africanamerican deval situation of after a can devaluation of after a can american lives. In my hometown in brooklyn, new york, where we are still reeling from the recent killing an unarm aed young man shot by a probation unarmed young man shot by a probation ary city Police Officer, this killing on the heels of the homicide by a chokehold of eric garner on statin island, again in new york city. Mr. Speaker, its deeply disappointing that as we observe the 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 we are still trying to fulfill the promise of the 14th amendment, of equal protection under the law, while the Civil Rights Act of 1964 transformed our nation by prohibiting discrimination based on race, religion, color, sex and National Origin at work, in schools and in other public facilities, we still must transform the perceptions, vices and a prejudices biases and prejudices that some people still carry with them like luggage from generations past. The incidents in ferguson and cities across this nation reminds us that communities that have been disproportionately and unjustly targeted by Police Departments demand recognition of their humanity. Young people of color refuse to live in a democratic society, in a state of fear, and we have an obligation as a nation to rid ourselves of the scourge of racially biased statesanctioned terrorism. I fully support the steps announced today by the Obama Administration to strengthen Community Policing and fortify the trust that must exist between Law Enforcement officers and the communities they serve. Ive been a vocal advocate for better relations between the community and Law Enforcement community. Given the Police Officers sole mission is to serve and protect the people with dignity, integrity and respect, we must focus on achieving that mission. I pledge to work with my constituents, the Obama Administration, my colleagues and officials across this country, especially in new york city, to restore public trust and to establish a more enlightened policing strategy and to prevent surge incidents in the future. So again id like to thank mr. Jeffries for his leadership. I want to thank the c. B. C. , the conscience of the congress, for holding this timely special order. To all americans who are disturbed by the demonstrations that are taking place across this nation, i want you to remember these four words. No justice, no peace. And i yield back. Mr. Jeffries thank you, congresswoman clarke. Mr. Speaker, the man in brooklyn did not deserve to die. Tamir rice in cleveland did not deserve to die. Michael brown in ferguson did not deserve to die. The Congressional Black Caucus is determined to make sure that these and many other deaths at the hands of Law Enforcement resulting from the use of Excessive Force will not be in vain. Its now my honor and my privilege to yield to one of the mighty voices of the hiphop generation here in the United States, who powerfully represents his midwestern district, the distinguished gentleman from the great state of indiana, congressman andre carson. Mr. Carson thank you very much. I have to acknowledge my colleague, my friend, my rother and leader not only nationwide and internationally, but especially of brooklyn for his boldness, his tenacity, mr. Speaker, his intestinal fortitude and his ability as a city member of congress to still speak truth to power, congressman jeff rills. Mr. Speaker, i rise tonight jeffries. Mr. Speaker, i rise today to tonight to express my deepest con domences to the brown if condolences to the brown family who lost their son far too soon. As a parent, i can only imagine their pain and grief, mr. Speaker. No parent should have to go through such an ordeal. As a young an africanamerican man, i can relate to the frustration being felt on the streets of ferguson and streets across our country. The history of this great nation, mr. Speaker, past and with t is plagued incidents of bigotry and discrimination in our Justice System. Racial injustice continues to afflict our communities and with each incident like this ne, old wounds are reopened. He feeling felt in ferguson is real and cannot, should not be discounted. Mr. Speaker, many right now feel abandoned by our justice singled out irly for suspicion. These are very legitimate concerns that cannot be ignored or overshadowed by those who have turned to violence. As a former Police Officer, mr. Speaker, i want to say i do respect our system of justice, but i also recognize its shortcomings. We certainly have a long way to go to guarantee our countrys children of color are protected equally under the law. Every instance, every neighborhood all across this great nation, mr. Speaker, no community should have to doubt whether justice has prevailed when a decision like this one has been handed down. We must not let Michael Browns death be in vain. That would be a disgrace. That would be a tragedy. Is still our nation struggling to heal. But this cannot truly happen until we honestly assess how justice is provided across our country. This process starts with peaceful protests, yes. But it ends with lasting reforms that protect all americans equally, mr. Speaker. This will not be easy or quick. But what is clear is that this march toward a better, more equitable country must begin with a unified front. Through this tragedy we should bring about lasting change and so tonight on that note i want to ask, mr. Speaker, all of my colleagues, my fellow americans, to stand with the Congressional Black Caucus to make this dream a reality. Mr. Speaker, i yield back. Mr. Jeffries i thank the distinguished gentleman for his eloquent remarks. Let me now yield to the distinguished gentleman from maryland, the great aline of scrimmagea Cummings Elijah cummings. Mr. Cummings thank you very much. I want to thank mr. Jeffries for calling this special order tonight. And let me say to america, whenever Law Enforcement officers a Law Enforcement officer shoots and kills an unarmed citizen in this great country, america has a problem. And i want us to be very careful that we dont become distracted and not address the issues. And i know that we in the Congressional Black Caucus make sure that we dont get involved in motion, commotion, emotion and no results. And thats what this is all about. Because the things that were talking about is trying to bring about change, not just for our young people today, but for generations yet unborn. And so let me just briefly state that im very pleased with what the president did today. I think its a step this the right direction a step in the right direction. The effort to get body cameras, 50,000 of them, to establish a task force. Ight i along with 100 other leaders wrote to the president and we just asked for certain things and ill yame them and then yield back to the gentleman. We asked d. O. J. Develop the training for Law Enforcement officers to counteract racial bias. And retention among Law Enforcement professionals. Grants to support youth in the communities that these officers serve. Reduction of excessive republicry among community Police Departments. Call for d. O. J. Oversight of Law Enforcement practices. And increase accountability through National Standards through investigation into cases of inappropriate behavior. We will continue this fight. And you know, to the brown mily, you have our condolences, but we know you want to make sure that change is brought about. And we promise you that we are going to do everything in our power to do that. And i yield back. Mr. Jeffries let me now yield to one of my colleagues in the freshman class, soon to be a dynamic sophomore, the gentlelady from the great state of ohio, congresswoman joyce beatty. Mrs. Beatty mr. Speaker, thank you. It is my honor to stand here not only with the congressional members of the black caucus. Today, i have a heavy heart. If we stand here ases members of the congressional plaque caucus on the topic, being black in america, what ferguson says where we are and where we need to go. Mr. Speaker, i would like to express my condolences to the family of Michael Brown. The gentle giant will not be forgotten nor will what his loss represents. Michael brown had a promising future before his life was cut short that saturday afternoon in august. And i realize my time is probably up. The speaker pro tempore the gentlemans time has expired. Mr. Jeffries thank you, mr. Speaker. We have come a long way and we look forward to marching toward a more Perfect Union and i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentlemans time has expired. Under the speakers announced policy of january 3, 2013, the gentleman from texas, mr. Gohmert, is recognize dollars r 60 minutes as the designee f the majority leader. Mr. Gohmert mr. Speaker, there are some people that wanted to be heard and didnt have a chance and i would be glad to ield such time as they need. Be glad to yield. Yield to my friend. Mr. Jeffries i thank my good friend for yielding a few moments for us to close this very important special order. And let me just yield to congresswoman joyce beatty to finish her remarks as we prepare to conclude this c. B. C. Special order. And let me thank congressman gohmert for yielding a few moments of his time. Mrs. Beatty thank you to my colleague. Let me continue and be very brief with saying, Michael Brown had a promising future before his life was cut short before his life was cut short. He was supposed to start technical college, planning to be a heating and cooling engineer one day, hoped to start his own business. Strove to set a an example, teaching them to stay in school. Instead, another loss. Michael brown fell victim to a criminal just tim system that too often fails people of color. Unfortunately, he is another black male, whose full promise and potential will never be realized because his life was taken too early by the very department created to protect and serve his community, the Ferguson Police department. Mr. Speaker, i think it is appropriate that the Congressional Black Caucus us is on the floor today discussing being plaque in america. And in many circumstances, the conscience of america on issues of race relations, struggles and inequityies. E are or are our brothers keepers. And today, december 1, we are celebrating the 59th anniversary of rosa parks giving up her seat on a bus in month gentlewoman erie, alabama. Her civil disobedience on this day should be celebrated. We see in the majority, a peaceful protest in refusing to give up her seat, she sparked a Civil Rights Movement, a movement highlighted by incremental progress such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Voting Rights act of 1965. About where a nation came together with eliminating discrimination against blacks and providing equal rights under law. The Civil Rights Movement is ongoing. A great distrust between local residents and Law Enforcement remains today. Too many young black men are left behind and are seen as objects of fear and we have a pipeline that tears our communities of color apart, leaving them forever incomplete, but as dr. King said, Human Progress is neither automatic or inevitable. Every step towards the goal of justice requires suffering and struggle. The tireless ex ergses and compassionate concerns of dedicated individuals. Lastly, mr. Speaker, im hopeful that initiatives like the president s my brothers keeper, which is implementing cradle to college and programs will allow us to continue the rosa progress that shell sparked 59 years ago. Should we work harder to get people registered to vote . Yes. But it takes more than that. This congress should work with the president. And i fully support his request to some 263 million in part equip Police Officers were cameras. Mr. Jeffries, mr. Speaker. Thank you. And i yield back. Mr. Jeffries let me thank congressman gohmert for this act of bipartisan. Et me yield two minutes to congresswoman robin kelly. Mr. Kelly as we re i offer my prayers to the family of Michael Brown and the entire ferguson community. We stand before the house as representatives of our communities and as concerned citizens. We stand here to say we mourn Michael Brown. We mourn his loss and what it represents. He very real fear. We are here to speak for those who are weary of another young black man killed by police. Ferguson speaks to the broader challenges we face, race relations, but the fraught relationship between the black community and the police. Members of my family have and do serve in Law Enforcement. And im fortunate that for most of my life, i have been able to have many positive experiences with that community. My grandparents, a Grocery Store in harlem had officers checking in. Those who put their lives on the line are good, but doesnt negate the fact that in america today, we still have too many in the plaque community who fear the police or feel disrespected by the Police Including my son and his friends. And we have too many Police Officers who fear the black community. This is a dynamic that colors every encounter and paves the way for tragic outcomes. Regardless of your perspectives of the events in ferguson we can agree that no community should live in fear. We must hold our Law Enforcement officials to the highest professional standards and provide them with the training they need to police diverse communities. This training must address the stereotypes and create obstacles to mutual understanding. And we can and must strive twars a just system that treats all americans fairly and values american lives equally. Im encouraged by the peaceful protests calling for change in the way our country views and values young black men, but this is the beginning and not enough. A mother and wife and a member of congress, this change must begin today. We must look for ways they can prevent a similar tragedy from happening in your community. Dont let this issue fade. Get involved with your local government. Go to your meetings, know who represents you and who is policing your streets. Be a part of the change and lend your voice to the discussion of your community. Vote. Exercise your right. Demand, expect accountability. Thats how we Work Together community. Kind of thank you. Mr. Jeffries we are here today to begin a conversation about a fair and equitable and colorblind criminal Justice System. That should be something all americans embrace and thats what we are going to walk toward as we move towards the next congress in 2015. To close. I yield one minute to the distinguished congresswoman from texas. Ms. Jackson lee i thank mr. Jeffries and might i thank the speaker. Im sorry we were racing across the floor. And we thank you for your clarification and to my good friend on the Judiciary Committee, judge gohmert, who has engaged in the criminal Justice System. I want to leave two points behind as we clarify how we can move forward and recognize crises but not yet be overcome by such. Might i thank theormer mayor of new york. I disagree with some of the interpretation of why officers are in the africanamerican community. A statist