Washington, DC –  Congressman Joe Baca (D-Rialto) spoke on the floor of the House of Representative today in support of House Resolution 826.  The resolution condemns the hanging of nooses, and decries the act as a hate crime of racial prejudice and intimidation.  It also urges federal authorities to vigorously investigate such crimes, and prosecute those found guilty of the despicable action. 

House Resolution 826 was passed by a unanimous vote, and a copy of Rep. Baca’s statements to his colleagues on the House floor follows: 


“Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 826.  I thank my friend, Congressman Al Green for his efforts in raising bipartisan awareness of this outrageous issue.  This is the year 2007 - and yet we continue to see the hanging of nooses in America, as a form of intimidation and racial discrimination.  This is shameful!”

“Every child has a right to attend school freely, without living in fear.  And every American has the right to a workplace that is free from discrimination and hate!  We are all God’s children, and the Lord has taught us to love thy neighbor and treat each other with dignity and respect, not with hate.”

“Nooses remind us of a dark chapter in our past – yet they continue to be used to create fear today.   There have been over 40 suspected hate crimes involving nooses in the last 4 months alone!”

“As Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus – I strongly support this resolution because this type of hate has affected all of our communities.  Over the years, more people have died from lynching than there were victims at Pearl Harbor.  Many of these were African-Americans, Italians, Jews, and Mexican-Americans.”

“Everyone should have the freedom to live a life without fear.  We stand today in solidarity to say the hanging of nooses will not be tolerated by anyone, anymore, for any reason!  I urge my colleagues to do the right thing and support this resolution.” 

“I yield back the balance of my time.”