In News
Conference, Leahy Sums Up Long Effort
To Pass Bill
Strengthening Hate Crimes Law
WASHINGTON (Friday, Oct. 23) – In a news conference in
the U.S. Capitol on Friday, Vermont U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.)
hailed Thursday night’s final passage of long-sought legislation to
strengthen federal hate crime laws. Leahy is chief sponsor of the
hate crimes legislation that is now headed to President Obama, who has
said he will sign it. The hate crimes measure will broaden federal
hate crimes law to include crimes based on gender, sexual orientation,
gender identity or disability.
Leahy spearheaded this year’s successful efforts to
pass this legislation, having worked with the late Sen. Edward Kennedy
(D-Mass.) on the bill for many years before. Leahy said former
President Bush’s “threat to veto the bill has been replaced by President
Obama’s signing pen.”
Comments Of Senator Patrick Leahy
(D-Vt.),
Chairman, Senate Judiciary Committee,
On Passage Of The Matthew Shepard And James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes
Prevention Act
Press Conference
October 23, 2009
After more than a decade, Congress has finally passed
the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act.
I am proud that we have come together to show that violence against
members of any group because of who they are will not be tolerated in
this country.
Of course, I thank Leader Reid, for his essential role
in enacting this legislation. It would also have not been possible
without the leadership of Senator Levin. This is also an
opportunity to remember the steadfast work of Senator Ted Kennedy who
provided leadership on this issue for more than a decade. I wish
he could have been here to see this bill, about which he was so
passionate, finally enacted. We miss him but his good work
goes on.
We recently marked the 11th anniversary of
the brutal murder of Matthew Shepard. Matthew’s parents have
worked courageously and tirelessly for this legislation, which aims to
ensure that this kind of despicable act will never be tolerated in this
country. The bill was named for Matthew, as well as for James
Byrd, Jr., a black man who was killed in 1998 because of his race in
another awful crime that galvanized the Nation against hateful violence.
President Obama has changed the course of the last
administration regarding this legislation. The legislation passed
today faces no threat of veto. It is long overdue.
This historic provision will improve existing law by making it easier
for Federal authorities to investigate and prosecute crimes of racial,
ethnic, or religious violence. Victims will no longer have to
engage in a narrow range of activities, such as serving as a juror, to
be protected under Federal law. It also focuses the attention and
resources of the Federal government on the problem of crimes committed
against people because of their sexual orientation, gender, gender
identity, or disability, which are much needed protections. This
provision also provides resources to State, local, and tribal law
enforcement to address hate crimes.
Hate crimes instill fear in those who have no
connection to the victim other than a shared characteristic such as race
or sexual orientation. For nearly 150 years, we have responded as
a Nation to deter and to punish violent denials of civil rights by
enacting Federal laws to protect the civil rights of all of our
citizens. The Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes
Prevention Act continues that great and honorable tradition.
By passing this legislation, we show, once again, that America values
tolerance and protects all of its people.
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