[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 65 (Thursday, April 30, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1035]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT HATE CRIMES PREVENTION ACT OF 2009

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                       HON. JANICE D. SCHAKOWSKY

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 29, 2009

  Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 
1913, the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act. I am a 
cosponsor of this legislation because we must do all that we can to 
protect those who are injured because of their gender, sexual 
orientation, race, religion, or disability.
  Hate crimes can occur in any community--even one as wonderful and 
diverse as mine. On July 4, 1999--when we should have been celebrating 
the welcoming and embracing traditions of our great country, my 
district was rocked by the killing spree of the white supremacist, 
Benjamin Nathaniel Smith. This madman left us grieving for Ricky 
Byrdsong, a former Northwestern University coach, a well-known 
community leader, a deeply religious man, a man who was committed to 
his family. His only crime was the color of his skin--he was African-
American. Smith also murdered Won Joon Yoon, an Asian American student 
from Indiana.
  The bill we are considering today takes an important step toward 
making America a more just society, by closing a glaring loophole in 
our justice system that prevents the Federal Government from 
prosecuting cases where women, gay, transgender or disabled persons are 
victims of bias-motivated crimes for who they are. These crimes not 
only devastate victims and their family and friends, but they devastate 
the community to which the victim belongs by creating fear and 
intimidation. Hate crimes chip away at the very foundations of what it 
means to be an American--that all people are created equal and are 
afforded the same freedoms and protections.
  America must no longer ignore hate crimes of any kind. Everyone, 
regardless of race, sexual, orientation and gender identity, must be 
equal in the eyes of the law. The passage of H.R. 1913 will send the 
powerful message that America stands for tolerance and inclusion, and 
is opposed to prejudice in all its forms. I want to thank my good 
friend, Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin, and the entire LGBT Equality 
Caucus for their tireless work to get this bill passed and urge my 
colleagues to vote ``yes'' to H.R. 1913.

                          ____________________