    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: WILLIAM J. CLINTON (1999, Book II)]
    [November 3, 1999]
    [Page 1962]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on the Verdict in the Matthew Shepard Murder Trial
    November 3, 1999

        Today's verdict closes a chapter in the tragic story of the killing
    of Matthew Shepard. Although the verdict cannot bring Matthew back,
    perhaps it will bring some sense of closure to Dennis and Judy Shepard, as well as
    other family and friends of Matthew. The First Lady and I offer our
    prayers for them and our hope that their memories of Matthew's life will
    sustain them in the difficult time ahead.
        The verdict is a dramatic statement that we are determined to have a
    tolerant, law-abiding nation that celebrates our differences rather than
    despising them. Our Nation must unite in outrage against hate-based
    violence. We cannot surrender to those on the fringe of our society who
    lash out at those who are different. Their crimes impose a particular
    cost on society by tearing at the social fabric. It is my continued hope
    that together, as a nation, we will work to repair that fabric.