[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 139 (Thursday, October 14, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2108]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              ANNIVERSARY OF THE DEATH OF MATTHEW SHEPARD

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                        HON. CYNTHIA A. McKINNEY

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 14, 1999

  Ms. McKinney. Mr. Speaker, the tragic death of Matthew Shepard should 
have marked a turning point *  *  * but tragically it didn't.
  The hatred and the violence against gays and lesbians still exits 
today. These days it seems that anyone, whether they're gay or merely 
perceived to be, runs the risk of becoming the victim of a hate crime. 
That is why we must expand federal hate crime laws to include offenses 
based on sexual orientation.
  Nationwide, scores of beatings and bashings of gays and lesbians have 
occurred, regularly reported by the gay press, but often ignored by the 
mass media.
  Some of you probably haven't heard of a California gay couple who was 
murdered in their home this summer or the shooting of a gay man in 
Michigan earlier this year.
  In a recent speech, Matthew's mom, Judy Shepard said: ``For all who 
ask what they can do for Matthew and other victims, my answer is to 
educate and bring understanding where you see hate and ignorance, bring 
light where you see darkness, bring freedom where there is fear and 
begin to heal.''
  That is the message we should take to heart on this anniversary of 
Matthew Shepard's murder.

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