October 6th, 2008 - Washington, D.C. - The following is a statement from Senator Gordon H. Smith on the ten year anniversary of the attack on Matthew Shepard:
“Ten years ago, today, Wyoming student Matthew Shepard was the victim of a vicious hate crime. Matthew was beaten and subsequently died simply for who he was – a gay man. On the anniversary of this tragedy, let us commemorate the rich legacy Matthew left behind. Let us remember his kindness, his compassion, and his smile. Both in life and in death, Matthew touched so many lives—I among them. In his honor and name, Senator Kennedy and I introduced hate crimes legislation, “The Matthew Shepard Act,” to provide better protections for all Americans. Hate crimes, like the one that claimed Matthew’s life, seek to marginalize entire groups of Americans—and cannot be tolerated in our society. While our nation has made significant strides in protecting minority groups, the civil rights struggle remains unfinished. As we remember Matthew today, let us renew our efforts to fight against intolerance and hate.”
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