Press Releases

Today, House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member John Conyers, Jr. (MI-13) released the following statement in response to the tragic killing of nine innocent African-Americans at the historical Emmanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina:

“The brutal killing of nine innocent African-Americans at the historically black Emmanuel AME Church in South Carolina, including pastor and State Senator Clementa Pinckney, is an unspeakable and horrific tragedy by any measure.  These individuals simply gathered to worship and study the Bible in a sanctuary and place of refuge as they did every week, but were senselessly killed.  My most heartfelt condolences go out to all of the families and friends of the victims as well as the entire community. 

“It is my hope that all levels of state, local and federal law enforcement work together to capture this brutal killer before any more senseless violence occurs.  I commend the Department of Justice for their swift determination to open a federal hate crimes investigation.”