The Senate recently approved bipartisan legislation introduced by U.S. Sens. Richard Burr (R-NC) and Roy Blunt (R-MO) to help solve civil rights cold cases from the 1960s and beyond.
The Emmett Till Unsolved Civil Rights Crimes Reauthorization Act, S. 2854, would direct the Department of Justice and the FBI to consult with advocacy groups, universities and other resources to gather information about racially suspicious cold cases dating back to the 1960s.
“There are still too many unsolved murders and too many families who do not know the truth about what happened to their loved ones,” Burr said. “This remains deeply troubling, but I know that this bill will help bring the truth to light and hold those accountable for atrocities committed decades ago. I am pleased the Senate has passed this bill, as it is an important part of the legacy of Emmett Till and all the other Americans who were brutally murdered and never received justice. While we can never right these unimaginable wrongs, we can reaffirm to future generations that every American is worthy of the law’s protection.”
The bill would reauthorize original legislation that was signed into law in 2008 and provide clearer direction to, and better coordination among, federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.
The bill would also eliminate a sunset provision and a pre-1969 time limitation on cold case investigations that were included in the original bill.
“The Emmett Till Unsolved Civil Rights Crime Act marked an important step toward getting the victims of racially-motivated crimes, and their families, the answers they deserve,” Blunt said. “There is still much more work to be done, however, and I’m glad that the Senate acted today to reauthorize the legislation to continue supporting efforts to bring the perpetrators of these heinous crimes to justice.”