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Congressman Wilson Statement on Confederate Battle Flag

June 23, 2015

Congressman Joe Wilson (SC-02) issued the following statement today regarding the Confederate battle flag:

"I stand with Senator Tim Scott in calling for the removal of the Confederate battle flag from the Statehouse grounds. Senator Scott's statement yesterday echoes my beliefs:

After the terrible tragedy at Mother Emanuel in Charleston last week, fueled by hate and racism, our hearts were broken. While the Confederate battle flag did not cause this violent act, it is clear that our state and the people of South Carolina have reopened the debate on the flag.

There is no doubt that South Carolina has a rich and complex history, and the Confederate battle flag is a part of that. The flag means many things to many people.

I do not believe the vast majority of folks who support the flag have hate in their hearts. Their heritage is a part of our state's history, and we should not ignore that,' Scott said.

"The true face of South Carolina at this time is Senator Tim Scott, the first popularly elected African-American U.S. Senator from the South.

"My entire family and I ask you join us in praying for the families of State Senator Rev. Clementa Pinckney, Rev. Sharonda Coleman-Singleton, Cynthia Hurd, Susie Jackson, Ethel Lance, Rev. DePayne Middleton-Doctor, Tywanza Sanders, Rev. Daniel Simmons, Sr., Myra Thompson, and the entire Emanuel AME community. God bless them, and God bless South Carolina," Wilson said.