Hate Crimes Bill Introduced in the House

by: Babs NJSD

Wed Mar 21, 2007 at 11:42:58 PM EDT

I am pleased to announce that our all of our Democratic NJ Congressmen are original cosponsors of H.R.1592, the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2007. This bipartisan bill that would extend the definition of hate crimes to include violence against a person because of his or her sexual orientation or gender identity, and provide local law enforcement agencies the resources to combat hate crimes.

Alas, none of our NJ Republican Congressmen were among the original sponsors. ... but let them know they can sign on if they are against hate crimes.

Babs NJSD :: Hate Crimes Bill Introduced in the House

Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean issued the following statement applauding the bill's sponsors and calling for its swift passage:

"Today, I applaud Chairman Conyers, the Democratic leadership in Congress and a bipartisan list of more than 100 members of Congress for introducing a critical bill to protect thousands of Americans It's not a Republican issue or a Democratic issue; it's a human rights issue. Hate is not an American value.

"Each year hundreds of our fellow citizens are attacked based solely on their sexual orientation or gender identity, with thousands more attacked based on their race, religion, age, gender or ethnicity. Hate crimes do not target just the victim; they terrorize entire communities and entire groups of people.
This sort of violence has no place in our American society.
"While no groups of Americans are immune from hate crimes, one in six attacks are motivated by the victim's sexual orientation, and yet today's federal laws don't include any protections for these Americans.
The Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act will end this injustice, and provide equal protections under the law for all of our citizens. It will also provide the Department of Justice and local law enforcement agencies the resources they need to combat hate crimes. I urge our lawmakers in both houses of Congress to pass this critical bill, and for President Bush to swiftly sign it into law."
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