[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 51 (Thursday, April 30, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3959-S3960]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            NATIONAL ERASE THE HATE AND ELIMINATE RACISM DAY

  Mr. ENZI. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to the immediate consideration of S. Res. 221 submitted earlier 
today by Senators Burns and Baucus.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 221) to designate April 30, 1998 as 
     National Erase the Hate and Eliminate Racism Day.

  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection to the immediate 
consideration of the resolution?
  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. BURNS. Mr. President, I rise today, along with Senator Baucus and 
48 other of our fellow colleagues, to a resolution to designate April 
30 as ``National Erase the Hate and Eliminate Racism Day.'' As you 
know, we introduced a similar resolution last year, which the Senate 
passed through unanimous consent. In order to continue eliminating 
racism and hate crimes, we must again recognize April 30 as a day to 
stop racism and hate crime. Through recognition of such a day, we as 
citizens can stand together in order to prevent future crimes from 
occurring.
  According to the United States Department of Justice, there were over 
8,000 racially and biased crimes committed last year. Because of this 
high number, my colleagues and I have stood up to recognize, for a 
second year, the importance of preventing such crimes from continuing. 
We must work together, as adults and children, to bring our Nation back 
to its origin, freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of press 
and freedom of thought.
  We as an elected body must promote this recognition by passing this 
resolution again this year. We must remember that diversity has been a 
cornerstone of our Nation's heritage and should continue to be. An 
understanding of individual differences promotes unity throughout our 
communities and States. We must take it upon ourselves to promote these 
diversities and pass this Senate resolution.
  I would like to thank the YWCA and many organizations throughout the 
United States for their assistance in supporting diversity throughout 
this year and every year. I would also like to thank all of my 
colleagues that have joined and will join us in recognizing a way to 
eradicate the forces that divide our country.
  Mr. BAUCUS. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize the second 
anniversary of National Erase the Hate and Eliminate Racism Day. 
Earlier today, I introduced with my colleague from Montana, Senator 
Burns, along with many others from across the nation, a resolution 
marking this notable occasion.
  In 1964, Mike Mansfield of Montana, then majority leader of the 
United States Senate, ushered through this body the landmark Civil 
Rights Act. It is his tradition of integrity and foresight in both 
Montana and the nation that inspires us in our actions today.
  In the last several years, however, Montanans of a different 
generation have come under the microscope of less favorable scrutiny. 
The reputation of Montana as a state of forward-thinkers and tolerant 
individuals was marred by the standoff between the FBI and the so-
called Freemen outside Jordan, and a series of hate crimes in some of 
our cities.
  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. It is these folks who 
provide us with stories of hope and courage and let us know that our 
communities and our neighbors will not stand for bias and hate-
motivated behavior.
  It is important because these encouraging stories are becoming 
commonplace in Montana. Whether it is a community like Billings that 
stands up to a group of skinheads, or a Missoula high school class that 
devotes an entire project to studying the holocaust, Montanans are 
making a real and positive difference in our society.
  There is no doubt that we have come a long way as a nation. But with 
8,000 hate crimes reported to the U.S. Department of Justice each year, 
it is clear we still have much more work to do.
  In addition to taking this day to recognize the importance of the 
fight, we must continue to support groups like the Northwest Coalition 
Against Malicious Harassment, the Montana Human Rights Network, the 
Leadership Conference on Civil Rights and the many other groups and 
individuals who continue this work every day.
  I know a simple Senate resolution, or even a national conference, 
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. A conference will not end intolerance. But it can 
make people talk about hate crimes. Designating today as a day to 
address these important problems is a first step and it can light a 
spark of hope in people's hearts and minds.
  Again, perhaps our predecessor in the Senate, Mike Mansfield, when 
speaking about the task in 1964, said it best when he noted:

       What we do here in the . . . Congress will not, of itself, 
     correct these faults, but we can and must join the wisdom--
     the collective wisdom of this body--to the efforts of others 
     in this Nation to face up to them for what they are--a 
     serious erosion of the fundamental rock upon which the unity 
     of the Nation stands.

  Tolerance and respect are our nation's bedrock. Today we can join 
together to renew the fight for a better America. And if we continue to 
look at the good, courageous, decent things our neighbors are doing, 
the sparks of hope we light just might catch fire, in Montana and all 
across the country.
  Mr. ENZI. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution 
be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and the motion to reconsider 
be laid upon the table.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 221) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:
       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 aggravated), 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, 1998, 
     as `National Erase the Hate and Eliminate Racism Day'; and 
     (2) requests that the President issue 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.

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