[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 71 (Friday, June 9, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E920]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             HATE CRIMES PREVENTION ACT OF 1999, H.R. 1082

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                       HON. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 7, 2000

  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak on 
the Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 1999.
  Why is it that we sit here in Congress and profess how far America 
has come? Why is it that we continuously stress how we have grown 
economically and socially? Is now not the time for America to grow 
morally? For those who fear to answer this question, I will answer for 
them. The time is now.
  Over a year ago, the bipartisan Hate Crimes Prevention Act was 
introduced. This legislation will make it easier for federal 
authorities to assist in the prosecution of racial, religious and 
ethnic violence. This legislation has since been referred to the 
Subcommittee on Crime. My colleagues, why have we not done more? 
Instead of doing more to strengthen hate crimes legislation, members of 
society with no sense of remorse are killing those who they believe to 
be inferior to them.
  I should not have to stand here and remind you of the brutal death of 
James Byrd, Jr. from my home state of Texas. But just to persuade those 
of you who continue to dismiss the ongoing atrocities of hate crimes 
that occur, I will. James Byrd, Jr. was beaten shamelessly by two white 
supremacists and then chained to a pickup truck. These two men then 
dragged him to his death. You have all heard this before and still 
action by Congress remains to be seen.
  My colleagues, I come to you today urging that we take action now. 
Has the prosperity of America become so great for some that we simply 
dismiss senseless acts of hate crime? The answer is no. We cannot allow 
another minute to pass before we enact the Hate Crimes Prevention Act. 
As Members of Congress and leaders, we must realize that now is the 
time to take action.

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