Rep. Hastings Lauds Passage of Hate Crimes Bill
Congressional Desk
April 29, 2009
(Washington, DC) Today, Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-Miramar) voted in support of the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009 (H.R. 1913). This legislation expands federal law to include protections for crimes directed at individuals because of their gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, or disability.
"While this legislation may not rid us of the intolerance and prejudices that continues to taint our society, it will provide an added deterrent to those for whom these feelings manifest themselves into acts of violence. They will be fully aware that, should they commit a hate crime, there will be no lenience and they will not slip through the cracks of the American legal system," said Hastings.
Since 1991, the FBI has documented over 118,000 hate crimes. While current law includes violent acts based on race, color, national origin, and religion, it does not address criminal actions against gender, gender identity, sexual orientation or disability.
"Hate crimes are a symbol of intolerance that plagues our country. By better equipping state and local law enforcement, we can give the resources needed to combat the spread of these inhumane crimes."
State and local authorities will continue to handle most prosecutions of hate crimes, but this legislation will provide key assistance to state and local law enforcement agencies and amend federal law to facilitate the investigation and prosecution of violent, bias-motivated crimes. In addition, the bill would remove the current requirement that a hate crime can only be prosecuted if the victim is engaged in a federally-protected activity, such as voting. The bill specifically protects against physical harm and does not impinge pubic speech or writing in any way.
H.R. 1913 is also known as the Matthew Shepard Act, in memory of the 21-year old University of Wyoming student who was brutally tortured and murdered in 1998 because he was gay. The legislation has the support of 31 state Attorneys General and over 300 law enforcement civil rights, education, religious, and civic organizations.
"While this legislation may not rid us of the intolerance and prejudices that continues to taint our society, it will provide an added deterrent to those for whom these feelings manifest themselves into acts of violence. They will be fully aware that, should they commit a hate crime, there will be no lenience and they will not slip through the cracks of the American legal system," said Hastings.
Since 1991, the FBI has documented over 118,000 hate crimes. While current law includes violent acts based on race, color, national origin, and religion, it does not address criminal actions against gender, gender identity, sexual orientation or disability.
"Hate crimes are a symbol of intolerance that plagues our country. By better equipping state and local law enforcement, we can give the resources needed to combat the spread of these inhumane crimes."
State and local authorities will continue to handle most prosecutions of hate crimes, but this legislation will provide key assistance to state and local law enforcement agencies and amend federal law to facilitate the investigation and prosecution of violent, bias-motivated crimes. In addition, the bill would remove the current requirement that a hate crime can only be prosecuted if the victim is engaged in a federally-protected activity, such as voting. The bill specifically protects against physical harm and does not impinge pubic speech or writing in any way.
H.R. 1913 is also known as the Matthew Shepard Act, in memory of the 21-year old University of Wyoming student who was brutally tortured and murdered in 1998 because he was gay. The legislation has the support of 31 state Attorneys General and over 300 law enforcement civil rights, education, religious, and civic organizations.
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