[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 535 Engrossed in House (EH)]


                In the House of Representatives, U. S.,

                                                         July 23, 2007.
Whereas David Ray Ritcheson, a Mexican-American, was a friendly and cheerful 
        student at Klein Collins High School in the Houston suburb of Spring, 
        Texas, and a popular and talented football athlete who was loved and 
        admired by his family and friends;
Whereas on April 23, 2006, at the age of 16, David Ray Ritcheson was severely 
        assaulted while attending a party in Spring, Texas;
Whereas the former running back and freshman homecoming prince spent more than 
        three months in the hospital as a result of the injuries he suffered in 
        the assault and endured more than 30 surgeries to restore his appearance 
        and regain the normal use of his bodily functions;
Whereas no human being deserves to be tortured and victimized like David Ray 
        Ritcheson simply because he is of a different background, race, 
        religion, ethnic group, or sexual orientation;
Whereas of all crimes, hate crimes are most likely to create or exacerbate 
        tensions that can trigger larger community-wide racial conflict, civil 
        disturbances, and riots in communities at-risk of serious social and 
        economic consequences;
Whereas hate-motivated violence disrupts the tranquility and safety of 
        communities, impedes the movement of members of targeted groups, and 
        prevents members of targeted groups from purchasing goods and services, 
        obtaining or sustaining employment, and fulfilling the American Dream;
Whereas the courageous, eloquent, and compelling testimony of David Ray 
        Ritcheson before a committee of the House of Representatives brought 
        into vivid relief the human face of victims of hate crimes and the 
        terrible suffering that such crimes inflict on victims and their 
        families, friends, and communities;
Whereas David Ray Ritcheson, in his testimony, emphasized that he was a survivor 
        who urged the Federal Government to take the lead in deterring 
        individuals like those who attacked him from committing violent crimes 
        against others because of where they are from, the color of their skin, 
        the God they worship, the person they love, or the way they look, talk, 
        or act;
Whereas David Ray Ritcheson's powerful testimony helped inspire the House of 
        Representatives to pass the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention 
        Act of 2007 (H.R. 1592 of the 110th Congress), which incorporates key 
        provisions of the David Ray Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2007 (H.R. 254 
        of the 110th Congress);
Whereas David Ray Ritcheson vowed to do whatever he could to help make the 
        United States a hate-free place in which to live;
Whereas the courage displayed by David Ray Ritcheson is an inspiration to all 
        Americans and reinforces the message that acts of bigotry and hate are 
        unacceptable in the United States; and
Whereas, on July 1, 2007, David Ray Ritcheson died at the age of 18: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives mourns the passing of David Ray 
Ritcheson and commends him for his activism in contributing and raising 
awareness toward the eradication and elimination of hate crimes in the United 
States.
            Attest:

                                                                          Clerk.