Attorney General Eric Holder has praised the passgae of Hate Crimes Legislation,"The action by Congress today to pass this vital legislation is a milestone in helping protect Americans from the most heinous bias-motivated violence. Hate crimes victimize not just individuals, but entire communities. Perpetrators of hate crimes seek to deny the humanity that we all share, regardless of the color of our skin, the God to whom we pray, or whom we love.
"There have been nearly 80,000 hate crime incidents reported to the FBI since I first testified before Congress in support of a hate crimes bill eleven years ago. The legislation is named after Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr., both of whom were murdered in two of the most infamous examples of bias-motivated acts of violence, but recent tragedies like the shooting at the Holocaust Museum demonstrate that there are still those for whom prejudice can translate into violence. The passage of this legislation will give the Justice Department and our state and local law enforcement partners the tools we need to deter and prosecute these acts of violence.
"Since returning to the Justice Department, it has been one of my highest personal priorities to ensure that this legislation finally becomes law, and I applaud the Senate for joining the House in its vote today."
SOURCE U.S. Department of Justice
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See also Sydney Irresistible
Putting principles before profits
See also Sydney Irresistible
Putting principles before profits
