Room stands as Biden welcomes Tyre Nichols' parents
As Biden turned to discuss policing and public safety in his address, he took a moment to welcome the parents of Tyre Nichols, the 29-year-old Black man who died last month after being assaulted by police in Memphis, Tennessee.
His mother, RowVaughn Wells, and his stepfather, Rodney Wells, received a standing ovation from those gathered in the chamber.
"What happened to Tyre in Memphis happens too often. We have to do better," Biden said. "Give law enforcement the training they need, hold them to higher standards and help them succeed in keeping everyone safe."
The president called for more resources to reduce violent crime, more community intervention programs and more investments in housing, education and job training.
"Let’s commit ourselves to make the words of Tyre’s mother come true, something good must come from this," he said.
While lawmakers in both parties said after Nichols died that they would like to pursue a compromise on policing reform, previous such efforts have failed in Congress.