[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 50 (Thursday, April 24, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3688-S3689]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SENATE RESOLUTION 78--NATIONAL ERASE THE HATE AND ELIMINATE RACISM DAY

  Mr. BURNS (for himself, Mr. Baucus, Ms. Collins, Mr. Kempthorne, Mr. 
Faircloth, Mr. Bingaman, Mr. DeWine, Mr. Hatch, Mr. Grassley, Mr. 
Warner, Mr. Cleland, Mr. Gorton, Mr. Abraham, Ms. Landrieu, Mr. Reid, 
Mr. Lieberman, Mr. Dodd, Mr. Murkowski, Mr. D'Amato, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. 
Kerrey, Mr. Levin, Mr. Gramm, Mr. Kerry, Mr. Lugar, and Mr. Moynihan) 
submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee 
on the Judiciary:

                               S. Res. 78

       Whereas the term ``hate crime'' means an offense in which 
     one or more individuals, commits an offense (such as an 
     assault or battery (simple or aggrevated), theft, criminal 
     trespass, damage to property, mob action, disorderly conduct, 
     or telephone harassment) by reason of the race, color, creed, 
     religion, ancestry, gender, sexual orientation, physical or 
     mental disability, or national origin of another individual 
     or group of individuals;
       Whereas there are almost 8,000 hate crimes reported to the 
     Department of Justice each year, and the number of hate 
     crimes reported increases each year;
       Whereas hate crimes have no place in a civilized society 
     that is dedicated to freedom and independence, as is the 
     United States;
       Whereas the people of the United States must lead and set 
     the example for the world in protecting the rights of all 
     people;
       Whereas the people of the United States should take 
     personal responsibility for and action against hatred and 
     hate crimes;
       Whereas the Members of Congress, as representatives of the 
     people of the United States, must take personal 
     responsibility for and action against hatred and hate crimes;
       Whereas the laws against hate crimes, which have been 
     passed by Congress and signed by the President, must be 
     supported and implemented by the people of the United States 
     and by Federal, State, and local law enforcement officials 
     and other public servants: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates April 30, 1997, as ``National Erase the Hate 
     and Eliminate Racism Day''; and
       (2) requests that the President issues a proclamation 
     calling upon the people of the United States and throughout 
     the world to recognize the importance of using each day as an 
     opportunity to take a stand against hate crimes and violence 
     in their nations, states, neighborhoods, and communities.

  Mr. BURNS. Mr. President, I rise today, along with Senator Baucus and 
23 of our fellow colleagues, to submit a resolution to designate April 
30 as ``National Erase the Hate and Eliminate Racism Day.'' We are 
submitting this measure because, as you may know, a few years ago a 
series of anti-semitic and racially biased crimes occurred in my home 
town of Billings, MT. However, instead of ignoring these events, I am 
proud to say that the community united and worked together to ban these 
acts of hatred. We are hoping that the American people will learn from 
Montanans that racism and hate crimes can be done away with if we work 
together.
  According to the United States Department of Justice, there are 
almost 8,000 racially and biased crimes each year--and unfortunately, 
this number is rising. Due to this disappointing fact, my colleagues 
and I have determined that a day should be set aside to bring groups 
together that will work to begin to heal our Nation from the sins of 
our past and present.
  This day would serve as a day for people in the United States, and 
throughout the world, to recognize the importance of using every day as 
an opportunity to take a stand against hate crimes and violence in 
their neighborhoods, communities, states and nations.
  Through this legislation, we hope to reinforce in the American people 
that our diversity is something to be proud of. A new understanding of 
our differences would help bring forth a new respect for each other, 
and this resolution should serve as the vehicle to educate Americans 
and promote unity throughout our communities and States.
  Now, I realize that passage of this measure will not immediately 
obliterate racism from our country. But it is our responsibility, as 
Members of this distinguished, elected, body to set an example for the 
American people by speaking up for what is right and encouraging others 
to do so.
  I would like to offer a special thanks to the YWCA and the Anti-
Defamation League for their assistance in garnering support for this 
measure. Their continued service to the American people in supporting 
diversity serves as a means to open the doors between divergent groups. 
They should be acknowledged and praised by all.
  We welcome each of our colleagues to join with us to work to 
eradicate the forces that divide us. Finally, I hope that by April 30, 
the American people are made aware of our thoughts and that we will 
work for justice for all.
  Mr. BAUCUS. Mr. President, I rise today to submit a resolution which 
will designate this April 30 as a National Day to Erase the Hate and 
Eliminate Racism.
  In the last couple of years, we Montanans have seen our state come 
under the microscope of considerable media scrutiny. We've had the 
arrest of the alleged ``Unabomber,'' the standoff between the FBI and 
the so-called Freemen outside Jordan, and a series of hate crimes in 
some of our cities.
  And it's appropriate for the press to take a look at these things, 
while recognizing that many of these incidents are repeated on a larger 
scale throughout the rest of the country.

[[Page S3689]]

  What has frustrated me, and many other Montanans, however, is the 
lack of attention to the vast majority of Montanans--the people who are 
willing to stand up to bigots and hate groups. For example, take what 
happened in Billings, Montana, a few years ago.
  People in Billings enjoy a high quality of life that only Montana can 
provide. It is the largest city in Montana, but it still has the feel 
of a small town. Folks say hello to strangers in the street. Families 
go to the symphony in Pioneer Park in the summer. And neighbors go out 
of their way to help someone when they need a hand.
  That placid life was shattered in November 1993, when a group of 
``skinheads'' threw a bottle through the glass door of the home of a 
Jewish family. A few days later they put a brick through the window of 
another Jewish family's home--with a five-year-old boy in the room. 
Then they smashed the windows of a Catholic high school that had a 
``Happy Hanukkah'' sign on its marquee.
  The people of Billings were horrified. But they did not sit at home 
and try to ignore the problem. They did not let the hatred take root. 
The community banded together.
  Thousands of homes put Menorahs in their windows. They showed the 
skinheads that the people of Billings were united against hate. And 
that year, Billings held the largest Martin Luther King Day march ever 
in Montana.
  And all over Montana, we see more of the same. Whether it is a county 
attorney who stands up to militia groups in Jordan. Or the unsung 
people who work in their communities, such as Helena, to stamp out 
racism and hatred through the Montana Human Rights Network. These are 
all stories that need to be told.
  Recently, the USA Network aired a movie called ``Not In This Town,'' 
which told the story of these events to the country. I commend the 
network for bringing this story to the world because it sends two 
powerful messages. First of all, Montana is no home for bullies and 
hate-mongers. And second, wherever you live, violence and bigotry do 
not have to be accepted in your community.
  That is why today I am submitting, with my colleague from Montana, 
Senator Burns, and many others from across America, a bill which will 
designate April 30, 1997, as a National Day to Erase the Hate and 
Eliminate Racism.
  I know a simple bill like this one will not end the problems we still 
have. A piece of paper alone cannot teach a child that hate is wrong.
  But I do believe a piece of paper can make people think. It can make 
people talk about hate crimes. And it can light a spark in people's 
hearts and minds.
  And if we continue to look at the good, courageous, decent things our 
neighbors are doing, that spark just might catch fire, in Montana and 
all across the country.

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