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CONGRESSWOMAN SHEILA JACKSON LEE INTRODUCES H.RES. 494 –A RESOLUTION CONDEMNING RACIST COMMENTS BY THE PRESIDENT

July 17, 2019

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Robin K. Chand

July 16, 2019 202-225-3816

Press Statement

Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee Introduces H.Res. 494 –a Resolution Condemning Racist Comments by the President

Jackson Lee: "And it is a shameful pattern of behavior. In the 1970s, Donald Trump and his father were credibly accused by the Justice Department of systematic discrimination against African Americans. Later, he called for the death penalty against the Central Park Five—a group of young African American and Hispanic men who were falsely accused but later exonerated of raping a young woman. And, he spearheaded "Birtherism," the racist slur that President Barack Obama was not born in the United States and therefore ineligible to serve as President. As a candidate and later as president, the President has stated that those immigrating here from Mexico are rapists, drew a moral equivalence between white supremacists and those protesting white nationalists, and last Sunday instructed four members of Congress to "go back to where they came from." Indeed, recent polls suggest that the American people recognize him for what he is, which is why 49% in a recent survey by Quinnipiac University indicate that they believe the President is a racist."

WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, a senior member of the House Committees on Judiciary, Homeland Security, and Budget, released this statement on the introduction H.Res. 494:

"Earlier today I introduced H.R. 494, a resolution condemning the false, inflammatory, and racially offensive statements made by the President of the United States regarding four women of color who are duly elected Members of the 116th Congress. The resolution I introduced today goes further than others introduced, including the one which passed the House today, and chronicles the regrettable and shameful record of the current occupant of the White House and his history of making racist remarks.

"And it is a shameful pattern of behavior. In the 1970s, Donald Trump and his father were credibly accused by the Justice Department of systematic discrimination against African Americans. Later, he called for the death penalty against the Central Park Five—a group of young African American and Hispanic men who were falsely accused but later exonerated of raping a young woman. And, he spearheaded "Birtherism," the racist slur that President Barack Obama was not born in the United States and therefore ineligible to serve as President. As a candidate and later as president, the President has stated that those immigrating here from Mexico are rapists, drew a moral equivalence between white supremacists and those protesting white nationalists, and last Sunday instructed four members of Congress to "go back to where they came from." Indeed, recent polls suggest that the American people recognize him for what he is, which is why 49% in a recent survey by Quinnipiac University indicate that they believe the President is a racist.

"House Resolution 494 is critical because any examination of the hateful rhetoric that this president spewed towards sitting Members of Congress must occur in context with this hate. It is time for us to find common ground and bring our nation together. There is too much hate and divisiveness in our politics and unfortunately, the obstacles to healing and reconciliation are ones erected by the President. The American people understand what is right, what is wrong and what is not normal in the leadership of this nation. Today's vote is a vote we wish we did not have to cast. But, the House of Representatives cannot shy away from its responsibility. This is why I introduced H.R. 494, and why I will work towards its passage in the House of Representatives."

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Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee is a Democrat from Texas's 18th Congressional District. She is a senior member of the House Committees on Judiciary and Homeland Security.