PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Became Public Law No: 110-344.
Congressional Research Service
Version 49 · Public Law · Oct 7, 2008
(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the House on June 20, 2007. The summary of that version is repeated here.)
Emmett Till Unsolved Civil Rights Crime Act of 2007 - Directs the Attorney General to designate a Deputy Chief in the Criminal Section of the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice (DOJ). Makes the Deputy Chief responsible for investigating and prosecuting violations of criminal civil rights statutes in which the alleged violation occurred before January 1, 1970 and resulted in death.
(Sec. 4) Directs the Attorney General to designate a Supervisory Special Agent in the Civil Rights Unit of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) of the DOJ to investigate violations of criminal civil rights statutes that occurred before January 1, 1970 and resulted in a death.
Showing the opening paragraphs of the official summary.
(Sec. 5) Authorizes the Attorney General to award grants to state or local law enforcement agencies for the investigation and prosecution of such cases.
(Sec. 6) Authorizes appropriations.
(Sec. 8) Terminates the effectiveness of the above provisions at the end of FY2017.
(Sec. 9) Amends the Crime Control Act of 1990 to authorize staff of an Inspector General to assist the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children by conducting reviews of inactive case files to develop recommendations for further investigations and engaging in similar activities.
People & committees
Rep. Lewis, John [D-GA-5] · D–GA
Legislative record
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Became Public Law No: 110-344.
Became Public Law No: 110-344.
Signed by President.
Signed by President.
Presented to President.
Presented to President.
Cleared for White House.
Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S9350-9355)
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S9350-9355)
Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 237.
Received in the Senate.
The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 422 - 2 (Roll no. 512). (text: CR H6742-6743)
House roll call 512 · Individual votesPassed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 422 - 2 (Roll no. 512).(text: CR H6742-6743)
House roll call 512 · Individual votesConsidered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H6753-6754)
At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 923.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H6742-6749)
Mr. Scott (VA) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 120.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 110-200.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 110-200.
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote .
Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.
Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties.
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR 2/12/2007 E312-313)
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Dec 5, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
AI Conversation Starters
Choose a perspective, copy a prompt, and paste it into your preferred AI. Each prompt includes the bill version and available official source links, and asks for counterarguments as well as supporting evidence.
Analyze H.R.923 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.
Examine H.R.923 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.
Examine H.R.923 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.
Examine H.R.923 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.