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Introductory Remarks on House Bill 591, relating to the victims of the Rosewood Massacre, on February 25, 1994 at the state capitol in Tallahassee. Richard Hixson, the Special Master for the hearings, states that the purpose of these claim bill hearings are to gather evidence on whether or not Rosewood claimants should receive compensation for the physical, emotional, and financial damages ensued during the Rosewood Massacre in 1923. The attorneys Stephen Hanlon, Robin Urricio-Quinn, and Martha Burnett introduce themselves as legal representatives for the claimaints. James Peters, the Assistant Attorney General for Florida, introduces himself as the legal representative for the state.

Hixson explains that the legal representatives for both the claimants and the state will present their cases to the Special Masters Committee. Stephen Hanlon argues that the Rosewood survivors and their descendants should receive compensation from the state. Hanlon explains that the survivors and their descendants still face negative economic and psychological impacts from their experience. Hanlon also contends that local and government officials did not perform their duty to protect the citizens of Rosewood or to provide justice to victims in the immediate aftermath of the event. James Peters argues against providing compensation for Rosewood survivors and their descendants. Peters contends that the officials under scrutinity are dead and cannot defend themselves or provide their own experiences through witness testimony. The Introductory Remarks then conclude and the hearings move into the witness testimonies, starting with Minnie Lee Langley.

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