Dodd, Lieberman Support Bill Aimed at Reducing Hate Crimes
DODD, LIEBERMAN SUPPORT BILL AIMED AT REDUCING HATE CRIMES
Senators co-sponsor bi-partisan legislation to close loopholes and strengthen enforcement of current hate crime laws
Senators Chris Dodd and Joe Lieberman today co-sponsored bipartisan legislation introduced by Senators Edward M. Kennedy (D-MA) and Gordon Smith (R-OR) to strengthen the enforcement and prosecution of hate crimes based on race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, and disability. The Local Law Enforcement Enhancement Act (LLEEA) addresses loopholes and restrictions requiring proof victims were attacked because of engaging in "federally protected activities."
"Hate crimes are vile and offensive. Those that engage in them should be swiftly brought to justice and dealt with harshly," said Dodd. "This measure can help provide law enforcement with the tools they need to combat these terrible crimes."
"Laws alone cannot turn bigotry and hatred into love and understanding," Lieberman said. "But they can make clear to all Americans, and especially our children, that we respect people in all their diversity and will not stand by while people are targeted because of who they are."
LLEEA would include protections for those victimized because of sexual orientation, gender, and disability. In addition to removing the federally protected activity requirement and expanding the class of protected people, the bill also does the following:
The bill protects state interests with a strict certification procedure that requires the federal government to consult with local officials before bringing a federal case.
It offers federal assistance to help state and local law enforcement investigate and prosecute hate crimes in any of the categories.
It offers training grants for local law enforcement.
It amends the Federal Hate Crime Statistics Act to add gender to the existing categories of race, religion, ethnic background, sexual orientation, and disability.
According to FBI statistics, in 2003 there were over 9,000 reported victims of hate crimes in the United States-almost 25 victims a day. Sadly, many hate crimes go unreported and the Southern Poverty Law Center estimates the actual number of hate crimes each year is closer to 50,000.
http://dodd.senate.gov/fr-headline1.html