A Message From The Executive Committee On Behalf of FMC
(Washington, D.C.) -- The murder of George Floyd has shocked our conscience. We join our fellow citizens in their grief, pain, anger, and frustration. The resulting overwhelmingly peaceful protests unfolding across the United States are a powerful coming together of all races, genders and ages advocating for human rights and against racism in the United States. Our right to “peaceably assemble” and “petition the government for redress of grievances” is embedded in our Constitution. While we do not condone or accept violent or lawless actions by small groups trying to create chaos in this crisis, as an organization committed to civic education and civic engagement, we view these protests as a powerful exercise of the Constitution’s First Amendment.
These nationwide protests we are witnessing, especially when coupled with the current COVID-19 health crisis and the dire economic outlook, make it clear that our country is currently facing one of its most perilous times. We are challenged on multiple fronts, domestic and international, a society divided along hyper-partisan political lines. This is antithetical to any constructive path forward. What is needed now more than ever is empathy and unity of purpose.
Our representative democracy is being tested once more, as it has been at other times in our history, as are our elected officials at all levels of government and from both parties. It takes courage to cross the political aisle and find common ground, but only through working together can we pass this test. As Former Members of Congress we therefore implore our political leadership to stand together – Republicans and Democrats – and find the resolve to bring about healing, dialogue, and solutions to match this moment.
The nation needs to hear from its elected representatives that we are indeed one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
signed on behalf of our entire Membership,
Charles Boustany (R-La.), President
L.F. Payne (D-Va.), President-Elect
Ann Marie Buerkle (R-N.Y.), Vice President
Donna Edwards (D-Md.), Vice President
Martin Frost (D-Texas), Immediate Past President
Peter M. Weichlein, CEO