| WASHINGTON,
D.C. – Calling it a “lost opportunity,” U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky
(D-IL) today expressed disappointment following the House’s failure to
pass legislation strengthening federal hate crimes law. A provision
strengthening hate crimes law was included in a Senate bill to authorize
funding for the Department of Defense. However, the provision was
removed from the final bill that passed today by the House of Representatives.
Below
is Schakowsky’s statement.
“It
is shameful to me that we could adjourn the 106th Congress without having
strengthened our federal hate crimes law to protect victims who are chosen
because of their gender, sexual orientation or disability and to allow
federal prosecutors to pursue hate-crime cases if local authorities refuse
to press charges.
“Unfortunately,
hate violence is becoming an all too common occurrence in our communities.
That an individual could be so filled with rage for his or her fellow human
being is unthinkable—but it has happened in small towns and big cities
across this nation and it will continue to happen, until and unless we
stand up to bigotry and hate by ensuring that the civil rights of all people
are protected. The expanded hate crimes legislation that was included
in the Senate Defense Authorization bill was just that kind of tool.
“The
defeat of expanded hate crimes legislation ignores overwhelming public
support for this critical civil rights legislation. Since 1998 when
an African American man was tied to the back of a truck and dragged to
death by white supremacists in Jasper, Texas, several high profile hate
crimes have continued to shock our country, including a hate based killing
spree that profoundly touched my community during July 4th celebrations
in 1999.
“I
am proud to represent one of the most diverse districts in America and
I will continue to stand with my constituents against bigotry and hate
and actively work to expand and improve the federal hate crimes law.
We cannot and we should not leave Washington without ensuring that the
civil rights of all Americans are honored and protected.” |
