[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 116 (Tuesday, September 26, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Page S9245]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              HATE CRIMES

  Mr. KENNEDY. Mr. President, last Friday night, an armed man walked 
into a gay bar in Roanoke, VA and opened fire wounding six gay men and 
killing another. According to news reports, the gunman asked for 
directions to the closest gay bar and confessed that he was shooting 
them because they were gay. This vicious shooting was clearly a crime 
motivated by hate. The victims were targeted solely because of their 
sexual orientation. The message of hate against the gay community was 
clear.
  Hate crimes are a national disgrace. They are an attack on everything 
this country stands for. They send a poisonous message that some 
Americans are second class citizens because of their race, their ethnic 
background, their religion, their sexual orientation, their gender or 
their disability. We need to take a strong and unequivocal stand 
against these despicable crimes whenever and wherever they happen.
  This Congress has a real opportunity to make a difference in the 
fight against hate-motivated violence. Two months ago, as an amendment 
to the Defense Authorization Bill, a strong bipartisan majority of the 
Senate voted in favor of hate crimes legislation that will close the 
loopholes in current law. I pay tribute to the Presiding Officer for 
his strong support of this endeavor. The House of Representatives has 
also demonstrated its strong bipartisan support for passing this 
important legislation on the defense bill.
  Despite this unique opportunity, the Republican leadership in the 
Senate and the House continue to oppose including the hate crimes 
provisions in the conference report on the Defense Authorization Bill. 
By removing hate crimes legislation from the bill, the Republican 
leadership will send a disturbing message about its lack of commitment 
to equal protection of the law and to civil rights for all Americans.
  I urge Majority Leader Lott, Speaker Hastert, and the conferees on 
the Defense Bill to do the right thing. Both the House and the Senate 
strongly favor action this year against hate crimes. Now is the time 
for the Congress to act by sending a clear and unmistakable signal to 
the American people that the federal government will do all it can to 
see that these despicable offenses are punished with the full force of 
the law.
  Just last Friday night, one of the most horrendous and horrific kinds 
of crimes was committed by an armed man walking into a gay bar in 
Roanoke, VA. Interestingly, Virginia has hate crimes legislation, but 
it is not based upon sexual orientation. So that is a major opening in 
that law.
  The legislation, which has passed in the Senate, would be able to 
address this issue. We should have the opportunity to vote on it. It 
was included in the defense authorization bill. It was strongly 
supported on the instructions by the House of Representatives. That 
conference is still open. I am a member of that conference. It is one 
of the last remaining items. It ought to be included. If we need a 
reminder of why it is important to pass this legislation, we have that 
tragic circumstance.
  Mr. President, how much time do I have remaining?
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator has 1 minute 20 seconds.
  Mr. KENNEDY. I thought I asked for a 10-minute warning.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. That is 1 minute 20 seconds prior to the 10 
minutes.
  Mr. KENNEDY. I thank the Chair.

                          ____________________