Volume 162, No. 66 covering the 2nd Session of the 114th Congress (2015 - 2016) was published by the Congressional Record.
The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE DEATH OF FREDDIE GRAY” mentioning the Environmental Protection Agency was published in the Senate section on pages S2541-S2542 on April 28, 2016.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE DEATH OF FREDDIE GRAY
Mr. CARDIN. Mr. President, the death of Freddie Gray was a national tragedy deserving of a national conversation. A year after the death of Freddie Gray, the glare of television cameras covering the ensuing unrest has faded in Baltimore but the hurt and the continuing effort to heal remain.
In the 12 months since Freddie Gray's death, Americans have had long overdue conversations about racially biased policing, poverty in cities across America, the lack of access to quality education, and the scarcity of safe and affordable housing. These conversations have been translated into meaningful actions by Baltimore City residents, community leaders, and lawmakers at every level. Faith groups, community organizations, the business community, and many other groups who love and understand the limitless potential of our city have stood up and articulated their vision on how to build a stronger Baltimore.
The death of Freddie Gray was yet another painful reminder of the problems we have in our criminal justice system. I am a strong supporter of the independence of our judicial branch of government and the grand jury system, but I think all of us understand the frustration when there were no criminal indictments brought in the Trayvon Martin case, the Michael Brown case, the Eric Garner case, and far too many examples across America.
I have been working for years to address problems in our criminal justice system. In the days following the death of Freddie Gray and the ensuing unrest, I called on the Justice Department to open Federal criminal and civil rights investigations into Freddie Gray's death. On April 21, 2015, I was joined by Representative John Conyers in reintroducing legislation, the End Racial Profiling Act, which I originally introduced before the tragic death of Trayvon Martin.
As Baltimore emerged from the unrest, I met with community leaders to discuss legislative responses to help heal Baltimore's physical wounds and how to address many of the core problems that underpinned the unrest.
I met with a pharmacy owner whose store had been looted. I visited a senior center that was damaged. I spoke with residents in east and west Baltimore. I visited Freddie Gray's elementary school to hear from teachers and community leaders about what tools they required for the Federal Government to better meet the needs of students.
In the weeks following the unrest, I went back and forth from Baltimore City to the Senate and the White House, relaying the needs of Baltimoreans to my colleagues and to top Obama administration officials. I was joined by the Maryland congressional delegation, my colleague and friend Senator Mikulski--one of the great leaders on this issue--and members of our city delegation--Congressman Cummings, Congressman Ruppersberger, and Congressman Sarbanes.
Congress and the Federal Government responded and continues to respond. I welcomed the announcement that the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division will open a Federal ``pattern or practice'' investigation of the Baltimore Police Department. This was just one way to help restore the eroded trust between communities and police. To further this effort, I introduced the BALTIMORE Act. The BALTIMORE Act is comprised of four titles.
Title I deals with law enforcement reform. The BALTIMORE Act places bans on racial profiling by State and local law enforcement, mandatory data collection and reporting, and available grants.
It requires local law enforcement officials receiving funds from the Byrne/JAG and COPS Hiring Programs to submit officer training information to the Department of Justice, including how their officers are trained in the use of force, countering racial and ethnic bias, deescalating conflicts, and constructive engagement with the public.
It requires the Department of Justice to report on a plan to assist State and local law enforcement agencies to improve training in the use of force, identifying racial and ethnic bias, and conflict resolution through the course of officers' careers.
The Department of Justice shall develop Field Training Program policies and examine ways to partner with national law enforcement organizations to promote consistent standards for high quality training and assessment. The Department shall also provide a report that contains best practices, model policies, and training toolkits. The Department of Justice will derive action plans for helping law enforcement agencies upgrade their IT systems to submit arrest and officer-involved shooting data.
Lastly, Title I establishes a pilot program to assist local law enforcement in purchasing or leasing body-worn cameras, which requires privacy study.
We have a comprehensive section that deals with law enforcement.
Title II deals with voting rights and civil rights restoration. The BALTIMORE Act restores the right to vote for all citizens after a prison sentence is served, returning citizens the right to vote. It also restores eligibility to sit on Federal juries after a prison sentence has been served.
Title III deals with sentencing law reform, which many colleagues in this Chamber have been championing. It reclassifies specific low-level, nonviolent drug possession felonies as misdemeanors, eliminating the distinction between crack and powder cocaine for sentencing, and requires fair weight for food products.
Title IV deals with reentry and employment law reform. It is critically important that people have an opportunity once they come out of incarceration. I don't think there is a Member of this Chamber who hasn't had a second chance. This allows nonprofits to apply for Second Chance Act grants.
It authorizes $200 million annually for the Labor Department's Reentry Employment Opportunities Program. It is a sense of the Congress that the administration should ``ban the box'' for hiring of Federal contractors.
Baltimore's congressional delegation has been fighting to ensure Federal resources are made available to help the city residents prosper. In the days following the unrest, the Small Business Administration established disaster loan outreach centers in Baltimore to help local owners who have been impacted by the unrest.
The Justice Department has also provided assistance in the form of the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grants to help defray the cost of policing during the unrest and to help local law enforcement better safeguard communities from violent crime.
The Department of Education's Project SERV, or School Emergency Response to Violence, has given resources to Baltimore City Public Schools to help students recover from trauma associated with the unrest.
The Environmental Protection Agency pledged funding to help convert vacant lots into gardens that foster a sense of community and increase public and environmental health.
Other Obama administration initiatives such as My Brother's Keeper continue to give communities the tools they need to foster long-term positive change. These are only a small portion of the Federal Government's ongoing commitment to the people of Baltimore City.
I am proud of the Federal Government stepping up to help Baltimore so that Baltimore can reach its full potential. Baltimore is my home. Following the death of Freddie Gray was one of the most difficult days in the city's history. One year later, Baltimore is transforming with the help of ordinary citizens, the business community, and a slew of nonprofits making a measurable impact. I have always been honored to represent the people of Baltimore. As long as I still have that honor, I will continue to make sure the Federal Government is an active partner in empowering Baltimore City to reach its full potential.
In the year since the death of Freddie Gray, we have made progress in building a more just America by investing in Baltimore. Let us continue to build upon that progress.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Ohio.
Mr. BROWN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to speak in morning business.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator is recognized.
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