Clinton: Strengthen Hate Crime Legislation

Senator Hillary Clinton (right) with retired Fire Department Chief Tom Murphy at a 2001 memorial service at Riis Park for those who died in the crash of American Airlines Flight 587.

Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton on Thursday joined a bipartisan group of U.S. Senators in cosponsoring the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2007 . The legislation seeks to strengthen the prosecution of hate crimes based on actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability.

"Hate crimes undermine the fundamental principle upon which our nation was founded, namely that all men and women are equal. No one should be targeted with violence because of who they are or what they believe in," Senator Clinton said. "We are all victimized by these shameful criminal acts, which is why I am proud to be cosponsoring a bill that will help strengthen law enforcement and prosecution against discriminatory acts of violence. Too many Americans suffer as a result of bigotry, and I believe this legislation will help reinforce our fundamental belief in equality and justice for all."

The Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act would make it a federal crime to cause injury or attempt to cause injury to another person on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability. The legislation seeks to protect state interests with a strict certification procedure that requires the federal government to consult with local officials before bringing a federal case. The legislation also offers federal assistance to help state and local law enforcement investigate and prosecute hate crimes, and creates a grant program to provide further help to local law enforcement to combat hate crimes.

Senator Clinton has long supported strengthening our hate crimes laws, and was an original cosponsor of federal hate crimes legislation in the 107th, 108th, and 109th sessions of Congress.

Reader Comments

Posted By Bing Strassburg (4/16/2007 9:12 AM EDT):
Why don't we say that all crime is hate crime. A mugger hates you because you have something that he/she wants. Lets just give them three strickes and after that you go away forever. Go back to where the prisons pay for themselves. Make the inmates work off their fines and then make them work to house themselves. We need to stop being PC and start being realist. A leopard can't change it's spots.

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