Congresswoman Beatty Addresses Nation, "We Breathe in Honor of George Floyd"

Statement

U.S. Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (OH-03) spoke from the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives today in support of the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, H.R. 7120. Below is a transcript of her remarks:

"It is indisputable that George Floyd should be alive today. His killing was the result of police violence that too many Black Americans have experienced, many in my District.

Black lives matter.

I was honored to attend George Floyd's funeral and proud to support this historic bill in honor of his name. Today, I breathe. Today, we breathe in honor of George Floyd. This bill will honor his life, and in the words of his daughter, "My daddy will change the world.'

I ask all of my colleagues to help change the world by ending some of the most dangerous and egregious practices of law enforcement in our nation.

Beyond this bill, we must get to the root of structural racism that has plagued our country for centuries, as I have called out in my resolution, H. Res. 990. Racism is a national crisis. We must move toward a truth and reconciliation process.

Today, my colleagues, we go from agony to action. I support this bill and I ask you to join me.

Thank you, and I yield back."

An archived recording of Beatty's remarks can be found on YouTube.

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