[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 36, Number 40 (Monday, October 9, 2000)]
[Page 2334]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Statement on Hate Crimes Legislation

October 5, 2000

    Today the Republican leadership made a serious mistake by stripping 
the hate crimes legislation from the Department of Defense Authorization 
bill, despite strong bipartisan support in both the House and Senate. 
The Republican leaders have turned their backs on legislation designed 
to send the message that all persons should be treated the same under 
the law--no matter what their race, color, religion, sex, national 
origin, sexual orientation, or disability.
    This legislation would enhance the Federal Government's ability to 
prosecute violent crimes motivated by race, color, religion, or national 
origin and would authorize Federal prosecution of crimes motivated by 
sexual orientation, gender, or disability. This legislation also 
recognizes that State and local law enforcement still have primary 
responsibility for investigating and prosecuting hate crimes.
    It has been over 2 years since the brutal dragging death of James 
Byrd, Jr., and about 2 years since the heinous death of young Matthew 
Shepard. We owe their families--and all the families of hate crimes 
victims across this country--no less than to pass this legislation this 
year. Working with the bipartisan coalition that supports hate crimes 
legislation, I will continue to fight the Republican leadership in 
Congress to make sure this important work gets done this year.