with me, it with me, # god is with us. come on, church, say amen. cathy taylor. cathy taylor. i tell her all the time she is houston's modern—day behaviour jackson. houston's modern—day behaviour jackson. she amped his churches gci’oss jackson. she amped his churches across the country with her gift. we are honoured to have our dignitaries speak and before i was the names on the programme, i want to ask the political dignitaries that we have in houston, i want to ask you to stand just for a moment. commissioner ron elston so others, yes. former mayor annise parker. so

many others. let us thank god for your service right now, adrian garcia, the commissioner. each and everyone, and this on the calls for a video by vice presidentjoe biden and then we will hear from our own congressman al green, and in our unconscious movement “— congressman al green, and in our unconscious movement —— cumbersome and sheila jackson lee and finally the mayor of this fine city sylvester turner. hello everyone on this day of prayer where we try to understand gods plan in our pain. to george's family and friends, jill andi george's family and friends, jill and i know the deep hole in your hearts when you bury a piece of your soul deep in this earth. as i've sent privately, we know. we know you will never feel the same again. for most people, the numbness you feel now will slowly turn they after day season after season into purpose

through the memory of the one they lost. but for you, that day has come before you can fully grieve. and unlike most, you must grieve in public. it's a burden for some a burden that is now your purpose to change the world for the better in the name of george floyd. like so many others, i've watched with as you summon the absolute courage to channel gods grace and serve the great man george was. to serve justice to long dormant to move millions to act peacefully and purposely but for all the people around the world who feel connected to this tragedy are the ones who lost something that can never ever be replaced. to george's children and grandchild, i know you miss your dad and your granddad. as i said to you when i saw you yesterday, you are so brave. daddy is looking down

he is so proud of you. i know you miss that bear hug that only he could give. the pure joy riding on his shoulders so you could touch the sky. the countless hours he spent playing any games you want to because your smile, your laugh, your love is the only thing that mattered at the moment. i know you have a lot of questions, honey. no child should have to ask questions that too many black children have had asked for generations. why? why is daddy gone? looking through your eyes, we should also be asking ourselves why the answer is so often to cruel and painful. why in this nation to many black americans wake up knowing that they could lose their wife in the course of just living they could lose their wife in the course ofjust living their life? why doesjust not royko river or race like a mighty stream? why?

ladies and generally we cannot turn away. we must not turn away. we can't leave this moment thinking that we can once again turned away from racism and stings are very soul. from systemic abuse that still plagues american life. as thurgood marshall once implored, "america must ascend from indifference, it must ascend from indifference, it must ascend from the fear, hatred and mistrust was that we must assent because america can do better because america can do better because america can do better because america has no choice but to do better. " i because america has no choice but to do better." i grew up with a catholic social doctrine which taught me that faith with —— which doesn't work instead. and know us by what we do. ladies and judgement, we have got to deal with the denial of this promise of this nation to so many people for so long. it is about who we are, what we believe and maybe most importantly, who we want

to be to ensure that all men and women are not only created equal, but are treated equally. we can heal this nations wound and remember its pain not callous the heart and forget. i know reference sharpton is there in houston with you today. rev, i watch you speak from ecclesiastes chapter three verse one in minnesota. everything has a time and a purpose and a season under the heavens. well today, now is the time, the purpose, the season, to listen and heal. now is the time for racialjustice. that's the answer we must give to our children when they ask why. because when there is justice for george floyd, we would truly be on our way to racial justice in america. and then as you said gianna, your daddy will have change the world. may god be with

you, george floyd, and your family. in the words of a hymn from my church based in the 91st psalm, "may he raise you up on eagles wings, barry on the breath of don and make you to shine like the sun and hold you to shine like the sun and hold you in the palm of his hand." god bless you all. god bless you all. applause to this family, the floyd family, to reverend al sharpton. the voice for the hopeless. help for the helpless and power to the powerless. i think

emirates and welfare all the things that you do. —— i think you merit some that you do. —— i think you merit some love for all the things that you do. to attorney crump who takes on the cases that many people would conclude a lost cause. what you do it and you win because you fight for some it and you win because you fight for some i think you deserve some love. just a few more. we are honoured today here in the ninth congressional district to have the chairperson of the conscience of the congress, the honourable karen bass is with us, she has traversed some distance. will you please show her and the members of the cdc some love ? and the members of the cdc some love? this is my congressional district. i want all of the congresspeople to hear to sand please. show them some love. mike

reilly jackson lee is please. show them some love. mike reillyjackson lee is here. —— the kind of people who are here. —— my colleague at jackson lee is kind of people who are here. —— my colleague atjackson lee is here. to mayor turner my dear friend and fraternity brother, tojudge mayor turner my dear friend and fraternity brother, to judge adolfo, two commissioners... —— tojudge hidalgo. to all of the members of the council. and i want to say a special word about another great american who is with us today. one whose name means help for humankind. one who was there with doctor king, one who was the father of the civil rights movement right here in houston, texas, one that we know and love, the honourable william alexander wasson, he deserves some love, he is in the house today, the honourable william alexander helper of humankind lawson.

i missed commissioners ellis and garcia. to you as well dear brothers. to the friends and family again, i'm not here today is a democrat. we are not here as republicans. we are not here because we are republicans. we are not here because we are rich or poor, we are not here because we are conservative or liberal. we are here because pastor remus wright was so right when he said we have no expendables in our community. george floyd was not expendable. this is why we're here. his crime was that he was born black. that was his only crime. george floyd deserved the dignity

and the respect that we accord all people simply because they are the children of a common got and it is very u nfortu nate children of a common got and it is very unfortunate that we have to be here but we are going to celebrate the life of george floyd today. and to the family, it's important that i say this to you. we who are here today are just here to say we stand with you. we will be there for you, let's let them know that they are not alone, let's give them some wealth, let's say to this family "we are here to stay." say to the family please with some wealth. give them some please with some wealth. give them some love. i believe you can do better than that. if you love them and you know it, stand up and showed. let's pick a career that we are here for them, that we will make it known to the world that they... are not going to suffer because we

are going to support them. —— let's make it clear that we are here. and finally this. members of congress have the privilege of having flags flown over the capitol. we do it for important occasions, important people. but i want you to know this i had this flag over the capital because i want the united states of america to respect george floyd. that's why this flag was flown. i wa nt that's why this flag was flown. i want the united states of america to show him the respect that he richly earned simply because he was born in this country because he is a human being and because he is not expendable! that's why this flag was flown. and i have a resolution that will be presented to the family. and

this resolution will become a part of the records of the congress of the united states of america. this resolution is going to say to those who work through the vista of time that at this time, there lived one among us that at this time, there lived one among us who was that at this time, there lived one among us who was a that at this time, there lived one among us who was a child of god who was taken among us who was a child of god who was ta ken untimely among us who was a child of god who was taken untimely but we are going to make sure that those who have worked through time that they will know that he made a difference within his time because he changed not only this country, not only the united states, he change the world. george floyd change the world. and we are george floyd change the world. and we are going to make the world know that he made a difference. dear brothers and sisters, we have a duty responsibility and an obligation not

to allow this to be like the other times. we have a responsibility to not only george floyd, but to all of those other persons. breonna taylor. we have a responsibility to each one of them. to make sure that we do not walk away today after having celebrated his life and not taken the next step to commemorate and to assure the future generations that this won't happen again! it's time! so brothers and sisters, the congressional black caucus has done something. it's historic. they are

under karen bass and her leadership we under karen bass and her leadership we have a law that makes it against the law to put your foot on the neck ofa the law to put your foot on the neck of a person. it's against the law! you can't have a no knock law, it is against the law. you are going to have to wear your body cameras, it is against the law. the congressional black caucus is making a difference. but i believe there is one more thing that we ought to do to make a difference. we have reconciliation. this country has not reconciled its differences with us. we survived slavery but we didn't reconcile. we survive segregation but we didn't reconcile. we are suffering in bitterness and determination because we didn't reconcile. it is time for a department of reconciliation in the highest land, the highest office, it is time to have someone who is going to make in his or her business to

seek reconciliation for black people and united states of america every day of his life! that's what this is all about. it is time for us to reconcile. we need a department of reconciliation. god bless you. i bless the united states of america. just before congresswoman sheila jackson lee comes let me tell you we have a great time at the cemetery for three o'clock and i want us to be conscious of the fact that we have got a long drawn out programme here and i want to give the guest speaker an opportunity to have what he has to say, i want to give the family and opportunity to say what they have to say, and the preachers that are on programme to save they have to say. i'm asking all of you if you would just be brief brothers and sisters, be brief. amen, amen, amen. we have got to get through this thing. they have to get to the cemetery before three o'clock and thatis cemetery before three o'clock and that is a long entourage going that way. so i am asking you to be

sensitive to everybody that is coming to hind you and let's try to keep it to the two minute rule, ok? what's her as best we can i am going to forgo my remarks today. i can speak to the family at a later time and tell them and encourage them but i want to give an opportunity to make sure that all the families requests are meant to make her met. please when you come forward be sensitive to human it's wassup god was here. —— be sensitive to who is coming behind you. this is a time for the family. this isa time this is a time for the family. this is a time for the healing of the wound of the pain that no one else in this place can walk and feel at this time. to the floyd family, let

me acknowledge your pain. let me come as a humble servant to be able to respect and to give dignity to the ages that the x slaves descendents have faced in this nation. whitney heal the wound of the majority of african—american men who have suffered at the hands of a wrong mindset. a warrior mindset instead of a guardian of peace mindset. in the practice of law enforcement. —— the ex—slaves descendents. but it is your time today in keeping with that moment,

allow me to offer these words. we know that centuries ago, they took a man, wicked men put him on the cross. they did not understand that though they were intending wickedness that out of much intention of wickedness came goodness. your love one george floyd, the secular world failed in its duty to intervene. failed in its duty to act. and failed in its duty to aid. george floyd answer the question in death when it was asked in isaiah, "lord, who should i send?" oh god have mercy on us.

there was a tall man by the name of big floyd who stood up and said " lord, big floyd who stood up and said "lord, send big floyd who stood up and said " lord, send me. big floyd who stood up and said "lord, send me. " and so as we come today, people of statute those who humble themselves before god, we come to pay tribute to a man who said "send me." and i want to acknowledge those young marchers in the street. today many of them could not be in displays. they are black and brown, they're asian, they are white, they are protesting and marching and i am saying as a mama, i hear your cry. that is what george floyd wanted us to know. and i guess he wanted us to know, family, about

junie holmes and jack yates. somebody might've said what good comes out of nazareth that somebody else might have said what good comes out of third ward? i am so grateful today to be able to say a man by the name of big floyd walked amongst us down those blocks, went on up to the crimson and red and began to mentor and make a legacy that no one can deny. i want you to know my friends. that as these members of congress, give me a moment, chairwoman karen bass the congressional black caucus.

leadership barbara lee. congressman hankjohnson. leadership barbara lee. congressman hank johnson. congresswoman lizzie fletcher. congressman vince nte hank johnson. congresswoman lizzie fletcher. congressman vincente i was, congressman civic rcs for some congresswoman deb holland from new mexico. they are across the nation. they are here because they are honouring a brother that came out of the heart of the third ward and jack yates. they are here to honour that leadership. so as i conclude, george floyd was here on an assignment. it is painful to be able to accept that, i'm so sorry i know him in death. but he was here on an assignment. some folk on assignments only get to stay 30 years. when the wicked men thought they had done something, george floyd took at 46

years he walk this journey. something, george floyd took at 46 years he walk thisjourney. he left behind sisters and brothers who could stand up against the adversity of life when the camera came and people asked to pj and others "what do you want? " people asked to pj and others "what do you want?" we wantjustice. we wa nt do you want?" we wantjustice. we wantjustice. and do you want?" we wantjustice. we want justice. and so, do you want?" we wantjustice. we wantjustice. and so, my friends, i don't know if i will ever get eight minutes and 46 seconds reverend sharpton out of my dna. i don't know ifi sharpton out of my dna. i don't know if i will ever be able to overcome the words "i can't breathe". eric garner's mother and trayvon martin pots are brother and all the mothers, that told them "i can't breathe". but what i will say is

that the assignment of george floyd and the purpose will mean that there will be no more eight minutes and 46 seconds of police fertility facet there will be no more eight minutes and 46 seconds of injustice and the mistreatment of african—american men at the hands of the laws of this nation and anyone —— 46 seconds of police brutality facet there will be no more eight minutes and 46 seconds that you will be in pain without getting justice. his assignment turned into a purpose and that purpose was around the world that there are people rising up that will never sit down until you get justice. and so i say to all those who are here to that from senator miles from grant malone who works in this venue, all of these pastors, what we say is that we will not sit down like rosa parks said until

justice comes. and so wet me make it very clear as i go to my seat. what was done for wicked for those who mourn that day that we know came to a day where man rose. and so i say to george floyd it will be up to us that his purpose and his assignment for the justice of this nation, for the fact that there will never be the fact that there will never be the brutality faced by a man that says "i can't breathe" and calls to a mama who loved him so. that is the call for all of us. and so as the lord in the scripture said when asked who shall i sent the first who said send me was george floyd, are they going to be able or he going to be able to have each and every one of you say send me? to god be the

glory for the things he have done. may god bless his family and god bless george floyd and united states of america. god wes you and i honour you and pray for you. we have a flag that will be given on behalf of the speaker of the house nancy pelosi. this family will receive presidential letters from former president barack obama and former president barack obama and former president bill clinton. referent, thank you for all you do. god bless you. —— god bless you and i honour you. organ plays

to reverend out sharpton and all of the other clergy that are here, to the other clergy that are here, to the garner brown, ahmaud arbery and martin family the garner brown, ahmaud arbery and martinfamily and the garner brown, ahmaud arbery and martin family and to this particular family. let me just adopt and incorporate all that you have already heard into this presentation. let mejust already heard into this presentation. let me just briefly say, on behalf of the city of houston, let me think this family for standing houston, let me think this family forstanding in houston, let me think this family for standing in the gap for your brother, your father, for standing in the gap for your brother, yourfather, your cousin, yourfamily brother, yourfather, your cousin, your family member. and brother, yourfather, your cousin, yourfamily member. and let me thank yourfamily member. and let me thank you for your courage and your strength and representing him and representing yourselves extremely well. and then i want to thank you on behalf of this city for seeking justice for george while at the same time asking people all around the world to do it respectfully and peacefully on behalf of this city, i

think we owe a great deal of gratitude to this family. and i want to say thank you. let me just say to you that people all over the world and elected officials on all levels are doing things that they otherwise might not have done, had not done, because of george. i now step in this city, i will be creating this task force on policing reform. but at the same time that will work things through and we will get that done within a 90 day period but as i speak right now, the city attorney is drafting an executive order. an order that i will sign when i get back to city hall. and what that order will say is that in this city, we order will say is that in this city, we will ban choke holds answering

the holds. in this city, we will require de—escalation. in this city, you have to give a warning before you have to give a warning before you shoot. in this city, you have a duty to intervene. in this city, we will require comprehensive reporting. in this city, you must exhaust all alternatives before shooting. and there will be other things in this executive order. but i want you to know it goes beyond just policing. because i have been talking with business owners and ceos talking with business owners and ceos over the last several weeks. and what i have said to them when we invest in communities that have been underserved and under invested in where we have not done the investment, then you don't have to spend as much on policing. if you ta ke spend as much on policing. if you take the necessary funds and invest

in our communities. so i want you to know and this family to know that we appreciate everything that you all have done. and lastly i will say this. george and this family rearing up this. george and this family rearing up in houston, third ward, coming out of the homes, who would've thought that his name would now be mentioned in south africa, canada, nairobi, berlin, south korea, europe? a person who may not have been known by many before, but what folks meant for evil, god has turned it out for good. we honour him a reference sharpton not because he was perfect but we honour him today because when he took his last breath, the rest of us will not be able to breathe. so therefore i come

able to breathe. so therefore i come a sylvester turner, mayor of the city of houston, hereby proudly proclaimed january, eight —— june nine as george perry day in the city of houston to god be the glory. for the good he has done for the —— —— 00:30:19,848 --> 4294966103:13:29,430 for the good he has done.