Press Releases

Today, members of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) introduced a resolution honoring the nine shooting victims of the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church in Charleston, South Carolina:  Rev. Clementa Pinckney, Rev. Daniel Simmons, Sr., Tywanza Sanders, Cynthia Hurd, Sharonda Singleton, Myra Thompson, Susie Jackson, Ethel Lance, and Rev. DePayne Middleton-Doctor who were murdered on June 16, 2015.  The resolution calls for:

•           Immediate removal of the Confederate battle flag from the grounds of the South Carolina State House;

•           Discontinuing sale of the Confederate flag merchandise by retailers;

•           Removal of the symbolic and/or actual references to the Confederacy in the seven states where they still remain; and

•           Banning use of the Confederate battle flag and its likeness on any governmental property, not excluding license plates.

“A hate crime of this nature must lead to effective legislation that will curtail similar incidences in the future,” said Rep. G. K. Butterfield, Chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus.  “Members of the Congressional Black Caucus offer our deepest condolences to the families of the ‘Emanuel 9’ as well as the city of Charleston and the entire country, as we grapple with the perniciousness of racism that is alive and well in America.  Our prayer is that Mother Emanuel—and our country overall—will heal from this incomprehensible tragedy.  We must collectively pursue true democracy, equality and justice.”

“We acknowledge that demanding the removal of these hurtful images and symbols that represent decades of hatred and oppression is only the first step in addressing the racism plaguing our country, but we must also acknowledge that symbols matter,” said Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, II.  “As the conscience of the Congress, we must exhibit an unyielding commitment to help this country solve its centuries old challenges with racism and prejudice.  Today, we start by taking our nation's conscience to task on the real meaning of a symbol entrenched in hatred, racism, and violent oppression.”

As members continue to sign on as co-sponsors, the Congressional Black Caucus urges House Leadership to take immediate action on the resolution.

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Since its establishment in 1971, Members of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) have joined together to empower America’s neglected citizens and address their legislative concerns. For more than 40 years, the CBC has consistently been the voice for people of color and vulnerable communities in Congress and has been committed to utilizing the full Constitutional power and statutory authority of the United States government to ensure that all U.S. citizens have an opportunity to achieve the American Dream. To learn more about the Congressional Black Caucus, visit http://cbc-butterfield.house.gov.

Media inquiries: Candace L. Randle at (202) 593-1331 or Candace.Randle@mail.house.gov