Dear Fellow Nebraskans,
As racial tensions continue to rise in our district and across the country, I have been working hard to show support for minorities and immigrants. During this Congressional session, I was approached by constituents to research and find legislation that would address racial inequality and injustices. I identified some bills to support and introduced some of my own.
I introduced H.R. 3536 the Justice for Victims of Lynching Act which aims to amend the United States Code to criminalize lynching and enhance sentencing under existing federal hate crime statutes. It mirrors the language of S. 488, introduced by Sen. Kamala Harris in the Senate, and passed with bipartisan support on February 14, 2019. The entire language of my bill was then amended into Rep. Bobby Rush’s (D-Ill.) bill, H.R. 35, the Emmett Till Antilynching Act which passed the House earlier this year with a 410-4 vote.
And just yesterday, Rep. Rush and I introduced legislation that would award a Congressional Gold Medal to Mamie Till-Mobley, the mother of Emmett Till and a tireless fighter for civil rights and racial injustices. Read the story here.
Aside from anti-lynching legislation, I have been a strong supporter of economic opportunity zones and have worked with the Department of Housing and Urban Development to push for more mixed-income housing developments in North Omaha. For more information on my efforts regarding racial inequality, you can read this week’s news release.
I have also been working extensively to combat many forms of hate including anti-Semitism. On May 29, 2020, after the President signed H.R. 943 – Never Again Education Act into law, leaders from Omaha’s Jewish community issued the following statement:
“The Institute for Holocaust Education is very appreciative to Congressman Bacon and his staff for assisting in moving the Never Again Education Act into law,” said Scott Littky, Executive Director of the Institute for Holocaust Education. “The lessons learned from the Holocaust are still very relevant today and can be used to make our world a better place."
For more information, read our news release here.
Finally, I have long been an advocate for DACA and TPS recipients by pushing for comprehensive immigration reform. In fact, I was one of seven Republicans to vote in favor of H.R. 6 American Dream and Promise Act. While this bill had some flaws, I voted for it because we cannot continue to leave our DACA youth, as well as TPS and DED recipients in ‘no man’s land.’ For too many years, DACA and TPS have been addressed through presidential action. Congress must take responsibility to force the legislative process.
We must continue to fight for immigration reform while simultaneously addressing the concerns for boarder security. For more information, read my news release. These are just some of the many pieces of legislation I have voted on and introduced while serving in Congress.
Since elected in 2017, I made a commitment that I would represent all citizens in Nebraska’s second congressional district, and I will stay true to that promise. I will also continue to pray for health and safety for you and your families.
My office has a webpage strictly dedicated to providing a list of federal resources, agencies, and information regarding the coronavirus. You can view it here.
If you have any other questions or concerns, please call my office at (402) 938-0300 or visit my Congressional website at https://bacon.house.gov.
Sincerely
Don
