Providing for Consideration of H.R. Fairness in Orphan Drug Exclusivity Act Drugs; Providing for Consideration of H. Res. Condemning the Horrific Shootings in Atlanta, Georgia, on March and for Other Purposes

Floor Speech

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Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Madam Speaker, 100 years ago this month, hundreds of Black men, women, and children were brutally terrorized, brutalized, and murdered in a massacre in the Greenwood district of Tulsa, Oklahoma. Their homes, businesses, and churches were burned to the ground. Their land was stolen from them. The thousands of survivors were locked down and deprived of their liberty without charges.

As the 100-year anniversary of the Greenwood massacre approaches, it is important that we bring a focus to and examine this piece of history that has been swept under the rug lest we be bound to repeat it.

If the events of January 6 showed us anything, it is that we are so close to repeating history. That is why I stand today in full support of passing H. Res. 398, a resolution offered by my good friend, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, that commemorates in the Congressional Record for posterity the 100th anniversary of the Tulsa Race Massacre.

This resolution serves as a reminder that Black people in America to this day continue to fight to end racist violence perpetrated against Black people in America.

H. Res. 398 also heralds a Congressional Black Caucus initiative that CBC chair Joyce Beatty entrusted to my friend, Congresswoman Brenda Lawrence and I to co-chair; that is, a commemorative virtual event which will commemorate and examine this horrific massacre. The virtual event we are hosting will take place on Thursday evening, May 27, at 8 p.m., and is entitled, Remembering the Greenwood Massacre: 100 Years from Tulsa to the Insurrection (Reconciliation, Restoration, and Reparations).

Again, this virtual event will be held on May 27, Thursday, from 8 to 9 p.m. This event will be on Zoom, and we are encouraging all to attend. It is meant to both educate the public about this horrific attack on a thriving Black community and the massacre of its inhabitants. It will highlight the relevance and significance of this race-based attack, especially as it relates to the events of January 6 and the many similarities that exist between these two events.

Anyone interested in attending this virtual event--and, again, I encourage all to do so within the sound of my voice--they can go to my website, HankJohnson.House.gov to sign up and receive the Zoom information.

It is important that we all participate in this event, even if it is just by listening or hearing from others.

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