June 6, 2020
Dear Friends,
Recent weeks have been filled with anguish at another indefensible act of police brutality: the killing of George Floyd. His death under the knee of a uniformed officer has opened the eyes of millions throughout every corner of our nation, and countless among us have raised our voices to say ‘no more.’
George Floyd's death is far from the first of its kind. Creating a more just society demands an honest and candid look at injustice wherever it occurs and that we hold those committing injustices accountable. I co-sponsor H.Res. 988, a resolution introduced by Representatives Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) and Ilhan Omar (MN-05) to condemn police brutality, racial profiling and the excessive use of force for just that reason. This resolution also calls for the adoption of reforms and policies at all levels of government to end these injustices including:
- Working to improve oversight and independent investigations to hold individual law enforcement officers and police departments accountable,
- Calling on the Department of Justice to reassert its statutory authority to investigate individual instances of racial profiling, police brutality and violence and investigate and litigate individual law enforcement officers and police departments routinely violating civil rights;
- Supporting efforts to establishing all-civilian review boards with the authority to investigate incidents of police misconduct to ensure community-level oversight, accountability, and disciplinary action of police officers; and
- Adopting sound and unbiased law enforcement policies at all levels of government that reduce the disparate impact of police brutality, racial profiling and use of force on Black and Brown people and other historically marginalized communities.
Systemic racism is deep-rooted in our nation’s past and, tragically, our present. This insidious construct continues to deny Black men and women their most basic rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
Now and in weeks and months to come, Congress must listen to the voices of those pushing us toward change. We must act decisively to create systems that are fair, accountable and most importantly just. Undoing our legacy of systemic racism will not come easily. President Barack Obama often expressed this idea through the great Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. quote, "the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice." But seeing the last breath of George Floyd stolen, and understanding the reality that so many have shared his fate, should call on us all to bend that arc and find that justice with the greatest urgency. Black lives matter.
I have been heartened by our widespread, peaceful protests. We have seen uniformed officers and demonstrators link arms in solidarity in a symbolic commitment to restore justice. Engaging in peaceful protest of this kind to demand action from our political leaders is one of America’s most cherished freedoms, enshrined in our First Amendment protection of not only free speech, but the freedom to peacefully assemble and demand these long-overdue reforms:
Amendment I
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
So I was appalled to discover news of the physical assault on peaceful demonstrators near the White House on Tuesday, an attack that was executed so the President could stage a photo opportunity.
This attack violated the most fundamental rights of our people, and it hasn't stopped there. His threats of further armed conflict against peaceful demonstrators seem determined to further inflame this conflict, feed into the fervor of the tiny fraction who would choose violence, and ultimately distract us to divert the cause of justice at a critical moment when all of us, especially the leader of our nation, must come together in support and understanding with our citizens who are calling for positive, lasting change.
I am proud of those in our Capital Region and beyond who have continued peacefully protesting and raising your voices. It fills my heart to see so many powerful letters, calls and emails from constituents who say they have never reached out to our office before, but feel that they could not be silent. Your words make me grateful every day to have the honor to serve New York’s 20th Congressional District and I thank you for your courage and strength of character.
These are trying times. As we find our way forward, we must remember to quiet ourselves from time to time and listen to those who have long-worked for justice and now are offering solutions. In the coming week, my Energy & Commerce Subcommittee on Environment will host a hearing with leading advocates for environmental justice. I will speak briefly but mostly I will listen. Together we intend to shine a brighter light on racial and social disparities in the impact of COVID-19.
Last but not least, let us find ways to remain hopeful even in this painful moment. America was founded by both acts of great virtue and of unmitigated horror, but always holding to the notion that we are—and should always be—a people striving to form a more perfect union. In that way, America has always been revolutionary. I am encouraged by the growing number among us, and in particular our young people, who are leading these peaceful demonstrations, engaging in constructive direct action and calling for a better path forward. I will continue to stand with them, and with you, as we work together to build a brighter, more perfect, and more just future for us all.
As always, thank you for reading.
Your friend,
DID YOU KNOW?
Throughout this pandemic, my office and I have worked to make sure you remain informed with the latest updates and recommendations on any and all COVID-19 related topics. With that in mind, many of you have reached out to my office regarding stimulus payments coming by way of a debit card. Here is information on these cards that may be of interest to you:
- EIP debit cards will arrive in a plain, white envelope from “Money Network Cardholder Services”
- To get started with your card:
- You can move the money from the debit card straight to your bank by going online to eipcard.com
- If your card balance is less than you expected it may be tied to a payment reduction based on your adjusted gross income.
- If you threw out your debit card thinking it was a scam, you can get a free replacement card by calling 1-800-240-8100
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