[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 151 (Wednesday, October 21, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2291]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         SENSE OF THE HOUSE REGARDING MURDER OF MATTHEW SHEPARD

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 15, 1998

  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of this 
resolution. It is appropriate that the House should honor Matthew 
Shepard in his death, and condemn the heinous crime which took his 
life.
  But I also rise to say that this resolution is not enough. The event 
that has brought us together in mourning was not only a murder. It was 
certainly not only a robbery. It was an attempt by two people to send a 
message to an entire community.
  The alleged perpetrators of this crime made no efforts to hide their 
actions. Mr. Shepard's dying body was not buried in a ditch. He was not 
hidden. He was not disguised. He was left to die, hung on a fence in an 
ostentatious bid for discovery. The message Mr. Shepard's attackers 
intended to send is clear. Their message was that lesbian and gay 
people should not feel welcome anywhere, a message that lesbian and gay 
Americans everywhere should fear for their safety. This message is the 
wrong message in a democratic society.
  As Americans we have a moral responsibility to send our own message 
back. A message that despite our divisions, we all hold inalienable 
rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. A message that 
we, as a country and as a community, condemn not only this murder, but 
all crimes perpetrated against our fellow Americans for their race, 
religion, gender, disability or sexual orientation.
  We have an opportunity to send this message by passing the Hate 
Crimes Prevention Act before we adjourn the 105th Congress. We must not 
drag our feet any longer. I urge my colleagues to pass the resolution 
condemning Matthew Shepard's murder, and I also urge them to pass the 
Hate Crimes Prevention Act now. Let's send the clearest possible 
message that American values are the values of tolerance, non-violence, 
and equality.

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