LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth |
Hate Crimes Prevention Act |
The Hate Crimes Prevention Act, soon to be introduced again in the 106th Congress, would extend the application of federal hate crimes laws to include more incidents and apply to crimes perpetrated because of the gender, sexual orientation or disability of the victim. These new categories of victims covered are in addition to race, color, religion and national origin, which are covered by current law.
The appalling murders of James Byrd in Texas and Matthew Shepard in Wyoming, and now the murder of Billy Jack Gaither in Alabama coupled with the recent rejection of state hate crime laws in Wyoming and Arkansas show that there is a need for such legislation. Call your representatives in Congress and ask them to support passage of the Hate Crimes Prevention Act. Tell them that the law is needed to assure that crimes committed because of a persons gender, disability or sexual orientation, without exception, can be prosecuted as aggressively as crimes committed on the basis of race, religious belief or ethnicity. The law will send a message that crimes of hate will not be toleratedthe first step toward a nation of equality for every American. Delaware's Congressional Delegation: Rep. Michael Castle (R): (202) 225-4165 Sen. William Roth (R): (202) 224-2441 Sen. Joseph Biden (D): (202) 224-5042 |
LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth, Vol. 9, No. 2, March 12, 1999 |