[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 8]
[House]
[Page 11468]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                   SUPPORT HATE CRIMES PREVENTION ACT

  (Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas asked and was given permission to address 
the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I would think that America 
would want its leadership to make the right kind of statement to the 
world. I do not know why we have not been able to pass the Hate Crimes 
Prevention Act of 1999, and now 2000. The other body vigorously debated 
Senator Kennedy's legislation yesterday and today they vote. I think it 
is very important that today the Senate takes the first step to tell 
the world that America abhors hatred.
  Just yesterday, I met with the relatives of James Byrd, Jr., and they 
told me that even today people are desecrating on his grave, trying to 
intimidate the community. Hate crimes are not individualized. It is a 
statement that says, We don't like you because you're different. 
Because you're African American, Hispanic, you're a woman, you are 
disabled, you have a different life-style, you are Asian, you practice 
your religion differently.
  Can America not come under the umbrella of the Statue of Liberty that 
encouraged all of us to come to this free land? It is important that we 
stand up as legislators and denounce hatred in this Nation by voting 
for the Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 1999 and 2000.

                          ____________________