Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, Ninth District, IL
District MapHomeWelcomeJan in the NewsJan in WashingtonCapitol Hill9th Congressional District, IllinoisServicesFeedbackContact JanPrivacy StatementCan't Find What You're Looking For?  
In the News | 2001 Releases | 2000 Releases | 1999 Releases
2000 Press Photos | 1999 Press Photos | Speeches
 
Press Release
 
MARCH 20, 2002
 
SCHAKOWSKY COMMEMORATES UN INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR THE ELIMINATION OF RACIAL DISCRIMINATION

CALLS ON CONGRESS TO STRENGTHEN CURRENT LAWS TO PROTECT VICTIMS OF HATE CRIMES
}

 
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today is the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.  As the world celebrates this day, we must reflect and take action against the existing discrimination and hate within our borders.  Since the terrorist attacks on September 11th, thousands of assaults have been reported across the country on people of South Asian, Arab, Muslim, Sikh, and Jewish backgrounds.  By October 11th, the Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee had already collected more than 700 reports of hate crimes in the month following September 11th.  People have been physically and verbally attacked, others shot and killed, temples were firebombed, and houses were vandalized.  Innocent Americans, touched by the devastation of September 11th like the rest of us, must not be singled out for hate just because of their skin color or religious beliefs.  

We in Congress condemn this hate and violence.  But we must do more.  It is time to take the next step and strengthen our current laws to protect victims who are chosen because of their gender, sexual orientation, race, religion, or disability.  It is our duty.  It is especially important that our children learn that hate crimes will not be tolerated.  This is why we must pass H.R. 1343, The Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2001, which would elevate the status of hate crimes within federal law and ensure that state governments and local police have the tools needed to fight and prosecute these crimes.  This bill would not take away the ability of state and local authorities to continue prosecuting most hate crimes.  It would allow federal officials to assist overstretched states and local officials investigate and prosecute these crimes.  It would also provide states and localities with grants designed to combat hate crimes committed by juveniles.  

Sadly, the prevalence of hate crimes goes beyond the backlash from September 11th.  The Southern Poverty Law Center estimates that last year alone, over 50,000 hate crimes took place.  In the summer of 1999, the Midwest, including my district in Illinois, was rocked by the killing spree of Benjamin Nathaniel Smith.  A follower of the World Church of the Creator, Benjamin Smith killed Ricky Byrdsong, an outstanding role model in the community and a constituent, and Won Joon Yoon, a student at Indiana University.  The Jewish Community in my district was also assaulted on the Sabbath with rounds of gunfire.    

The weekend after the September 11th attacks, I marched in solidarity with the South Asian, Arab, Muslim, Sikh, and Jewish communities to stand against the terrorist attacks and the attacks on the community.  I saw not only overwhelming sadness, but also the fear of violence on the faces of those walking with me.  Members of my community and the district that I represent were afraid to send their children to school.  They did not want to leave their homes even to go grocery shopping.  But I also saw the commitment from community members to combat bigotry and racism.  

Those who commit hate crimes perpetuate the sense of terror in our communities and undermine the ideals of our nation.  This is why it is so important that hate crimes be recognized for what they are and punished accordingly.  These crimes not only devastate victims and their family and friends, but they devastate the community to which the victim belongs.  This community becomes stricken with grief as well as the fear that they could be next.  The violence inflicted on those based solely on skin color or religion violates the very essence of what our nation is about.  Our country represents tolerance and acceptance.  We must pass the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act.  I am proud to represent one of the most diverse districts in the nation and I will work to protect and honor the civil rights of all our people, without any exceptions.

 
Home 
In the News 
Jan in DC 
Capitol Hill 
9th District, IL 
Services 
Feedback 

Next                                                        Previous
Press Release            Press Release List            Press Release