[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 138 (Wednesday, October 13, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2089]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HATE CRIMES PREVENTION ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. SUE W. KELLY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 13, 1999

  Mrs. KELLY. Mr. Speaker, without check, hate can vein our society 
like subterranean mold, popping up now and then to spread vitriol over 
the land. On the occasion of the anniversary of Matthew Shephards' 
brutal killing, and in memory of those who have also lost their lives 
due to their race, national origin, disability or sexual orientation, I 
speak out today in support of the Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 1999. 
Additionally, I urge my colleagues to preserve its inclusion in the 
Conference Report for the Departments of Commerce, Justice and State 
and the Judiciary Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2000.
  The hate crimes legislation in both the House and the Senate have 
been widely supported. The inclusion of the House and Senate versions 
of this bill in the C/J/S Conference report is critical to its success. 
I urge my colleagues on the Conference Committee to include this 
measure in their final report. Its long past time. Over the last year 
we have heard from the families of individuals whose lives have been 
viciously ended. These families, and those they speak for, have asked 
us to expand the federal jurisdiction to reach serious, violent hate 
crimes. With hope, the day will come that this type of measure will no 
longer be necessary. But until that time, let us act now so that more 
families do not have to live through the tragedy of losing a loved one 
to this type of vicious hate.

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