[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 65 (Thursday, April 30, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1038-E1039]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          LOCAL ENFORCEMENT HATE CRIMES PREVENTION ACT OF 2009

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                            HON. JOHN LEWIS

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 29, 2009

  Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, while it is an honor to be able to 
participate today's debate, I must say that it gives me feelings of 
both joy and sorrow. Sorrow, because in the year 2009, I would hope 
that we should not have a need for such a bill.
  I find it most ironic that some of the very same voices in the 
community who speak out against this bill are the very same voices that 
question whether racism and prejudice no longer exist simply because a 
person of color has been elected President. Racism, prejudice, and hate 
did not disappear on November 4th, 2008. Nor did they disappear on 
January 20th, 2009.
  Yet it gives me joy that we are able to do something about it. I grew 
up in the Deep South and faced vile hatred up close, and it gives me 
joy to vote ``yes'' on the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention 
Act. Today we proclaim that our country will not stand for, and will 
not tolerate hate crimes.
  This bill is the right thing to do. It protects our citizens, our 
nation; our principles and our values.
  We are all Americans--
  Black Americans, White Americans, Hispanic Americans, Asian 
Americans, Native American, Christian Americans, Jewish Americans, 
Muslim Americans, Gay Americans, Straight Americans--all Americans. We 
are one people and one nation, the American nation. This bill will 
bring us one step closer to the Beloved Community, a nation at peace 
with itself.
  A constituent came by my office just yesterday and spoke about her 
son who fought in Iraq. Her son completed two tours in Iraq. Her son 
has said that he was indeed concerned about his safety. But her son 
said that he was even more concerned about the safety of his father--a 
transgender woman, walking the streets of the United States of America 
every day.
  President Obama has talked repeatedly about renewing America's 
promise. Today, I urge my fellow Members to vote ``yes,'' and keep 
America's promise.

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