[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 63 (Tuesday, April 28, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1004]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR ``LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT HATE CRIMES PREVENTION 
                  ACT (LLEHCPA)/MATTHEW SHEPARD ACT''

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MICHAEL M. HONDA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 28, 2009

  Mr. HONDA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my strong support 
to the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention/Matthew Shepard Act 
(H.R. 1913). On the night of October 6, 1998, Matthew Shepard was 
brutally tortured and murdered by two assailants because he was a gay 
man. It has been over ten years since America was shocked by that 
despicable hate crime, and the time for action is long overdue. Today 
we take a significant step towards protecting Americans from being 
violently attacked simply for being who they are.
  Hate crimes continue to spread fear throughout targeted communities 
to this day. Last year, 18-year old Angie Zapata, a transgendered 
woman, was murdered by an assailant who defended himself by saying 
``it's not like I killed a straight, law-abiding citizen.'' While 
Angie's murderer was recently convicted for this hate crime, Colorado 
is the exception in hate crime laws. Most states do not extend hate 
crime legislation to protect transgendered Americans, leaving some of 
the most vulnerable members of society with inadequate protections.
  Protecting citizens from violence is one of the fundamental roles of 
government. This legislation is necessary to ensure that no American 
has to live in fear of violence simply because of who they are. In 
2008, the FBI reported a 6% increase in violent crimes against lesbian, 
gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) Americans, despite a 1% overall 
decline of hate crimes in the U.S. As we mark the ten year anniversary 
of Matthew's horrific death, and the one year anniversary of the brutal 
murder of Angie, we must commit ourselves to decide that now is the 
moment when we push back against the forces of hate.
  Opponents of the Matthew Shepard Act have claimed that its passage 
will result in the criminalization of protected speech--even the 
imprisonment of preachers for condemning homosexuality. This could not 
be further from the truth. The Act expressly states that it does not 
prohibit ``any expressive conduct . . ., or any activities protected by 
the free speech or free exercise clauses of, the First Amendment to the 
Constitution.'' This means that nobody can be prosecuted under the law 
for expressing their beliefs about homosexuality. The Act specifically 
targets people who commit violent acts motivated by the actual or 
perceived race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual 
orientation, gender identity, or disability of another. It also 
affirmatively protects free speech ensuring that Americans remain free 
to engage in moral debate, without fear of retribution.
  The Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act will help guard 
against groups and individuals who seek to terrorize entire communities 
through brutal violence against targeted individuals. With its passage, 
we will bring about the changes needed to make clear, once and for all, 
that hatred of LGBTs and other minorities is no longer a conceivably 
legitimate excuse for violently attacking another person.

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