OFFICIALS LEGISLATION INTEREST GROUPS PUBLIC STATEMENTS COMMITTEES VETOES

Conferderate Battle Flag

Floor Speech

Date: July 9, 2015
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Arts, Entertainment, and History

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Ms. SEWELL of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to add my voice to this discussion about the Confederate battle flag.

As a daughter of the South, a Representative from Alabama, a native of Selma, Alabama, I have to tell you I cannot believe, in 2015, we are talking about whether or not this body would allow on Federal grounds, Federal cemeteries, and Federal national parks the display, the selling of this Confederate battle flag.

There is no denying that our Constitution talks about ``We, the people,'' and there is no denying that this Confederate flag is controversial. Some see it as heritage, and most see it as hatred.

I can tell you one thing: we, the people, cannot allow on Federal grounds--we all pay taxes and are citizens of this great Nation--and to allow this flag to be sold and to be displayed on Federal land is unacceptable.

I really hope that, when I gathered together 100 Members of Congress in Selma for the 50th anniversary of the Selma to Montgomery march, it was not a kumbaya moment in Selma in March; rather, I hope that we will do what we promised this Nation we would do, and that is represent we, the people, by taking down this flag and not displaying it on any grounds.

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