Congresswoman Cori Bush Honors Michael Brown Jr.’s 25th Birthday
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congresswoman Cori Bush (MO-01) honored Michael Brown Jr. in a speech on the House Floor on what would have been his 25th birthday. Michael was 18 when he was killed by a now-terminated police officer in Ferguson, Missouri in 2014. In her speech, Congresswoman Bush wished Michael a Happy Birthday and reaffirmed her commitment to legislating to save Black lives.
Below are the Congresswoman’s remarks as prepared:
Mister Speaker, St. Louis and I rise today to wish a happy 25th birthday to Michael Brown Jr.
The last birthday that Michael Brown celebrated was his 18th. A celebration that was supposed to mark the beginning of his journey of adulthood. Filled with years of joy, and making music, caring for animals, and spending time with those he loved.
But just 81 days after his 18th birthday, Michael was shot and killed by a police officer in our district.
While I say that St. Louis and I rise today, we have never taken a seat, we have never rested, we have never stopped striving for a just world — a world where Michael would have been celebrating his birthday today.
To Michael Brown Jr, we love you. We miss you. We will never forget you. And in your honor, we bring our struggle for justice from the frontlines of Ferguson, it’s why I’m standing here, to the Halls of Congress. Stand up, don’t stand down, we do this for Mike Brown. Happy Birthday.
Thank you and I yield back.
To watch and download the Congresswoman’s remarks, click here.
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Congresswoman Cori Bush represents Missouri’s First Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives. She serves on the House Judiciary Committee and the House Committee on Oversight and Reform. She is also a Deputy Whip of the Congressional Progressive Caucus and a proud member of the Congressional Black Caucus. She is a registered nurse, single mother, and an ordained pastor. Following the killing of Michael Brown Jr. by a now-terminated Ferguson police officer, she became a civil rights activist and community organizer fighting for justice for Black lives on the streets of Missouri and across the country.