House Votes To Expand Hate Crimes Law

[maggiegee]

http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l2/magi43/news.jpg

(AP) Just hours after the White House issued a veto threat Thursday, the House voted to add gender and sexual orientation to the categories covered by federal hate crimes law.

The House legislation, passed 237-180, also makes it easier for federal law enforcement to take part in or assist local prosecutions involving bias-motivated attacks. Similar legislation is also moving through the Senate, setting the stage for another veto showdown with President Bush.

"This is an important vote of conscience, of a statement of what America is, a society that understands that we accept differences," said House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md.

Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., the only openly gay man in the House, presided over the chamber as the final vote was taken.

The vote came after fierce lobbying from civil rights groups, who have been pushing for years for added protections against hate crimes, and social conservatives, who say the bill threatens the right to express moral opposition to homosexuality and singles out groups of citizens for special protection.

The White House, in a statement warning of a veto, said state and local criminal laws already cover the new crimes defined under the bill, and there was "no persuasive demonstration of any need to federalize such a potentially large range of violent crime enforcement."

It also noted that the bill leaves other classes, such as the elderly, the military and police officers, without similar special status.

"Our criminal justice system has been built on the ideal of equal justice for all," said Rep. Lamar Smith of Texas, top Republican on the Judiciary Committee. "Under this bill justice will no longer be equal, but depend on the race, sex, sexual orientation, disability or status of the victim."

Republicans, in a parliamentary move that would have effectively killed the bill, tried to add seniors and the military to those qualifying for hate crimes protection. It was defeated on a mainly party-line vote.

Hate crimes under current federal law apply to acts of violence against individuals on the basis of race, religion, color, or national original. Federal prosecutors have jurisdiction only if the victim is engaged in a specific federally protected activity such as voting.

The House bill would extend the hate crimes category to include sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or disability and give federal authorities greater leeway to participate in hate crimes investigations. It approves $10 million over the next two years to help local law enforcement officials cover the cost of hate crime prosecutions.

Federal investigators could step in if local authorities are unwilling or unable to act. The Human Rights Campaign, the country's largest gay rights group, said this federal intervention could have made a difference in the case of Brandon Teena, the young Nebraska transsexual depicted in the movie "Boys Don't Cry" who was raped after two friends discovered that he was biologically female and then murdered when local police did not arrest those responsible.

But Dr. James C. Dobson, founder of Focus on the Family, warned that the true intent of the bill was "to muzzle people of faith who dare to express their moral and biblical concerns about homosexuality." If you read the Bible in a certain way, he told his broadcast listeners, "you may be guilty of committing a 'thought crime.'"

"It does not impinge on public speech or writing in any way," countered Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers, D-Mich., pointing out that the bill explicitly reaffirms First Amendment and free speech rights.

Conyers said in a statement that state and local authorities will continue to prosecute the overwhelming majority of such cases and the bill requires the attorney general or another high-ranking Justice Department official to approve any federal prosecutions.

The legislation restates already-enacted penalties. Those using guns to commit crimes defined under the bill face prison terms of up to 10 years. Crimes involving kidnapping or sexual assault or resulting in death can bring life terms.

The Judiciary Committee cited FBI figures that there have been more than 113,000 hate crimes since 1991, including 7,163 in 1995. It said that racially motivated bias accounted for 55 percent of those incidents, religious bias for 17 percent, sexual orientation bias for 14 percent and ethnicity bias for 14 percent.


© MMVII The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

[maggiegee]

The Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act (LLEHCPA) would strengthen the ability of law enforcement officials to investigate and prosecute hate crimes by:

Protecting All Americans. Under the current federal law, enacted nearly 40 years ago, the government has the authority to help investigate and prosecute bias-motivated attacks based on race, color, national origin and religion and because the victim was attempting to exercise a federally protected right. For example, authorities became involved in aSalt Lake City case where James Herrick set fire to a Pakistani restaurant on Sept. 13, 2001. Herrick was sentenced to 51 months’ incarceration on Jan. 7, 2002, after pleading guilty to violating 18 U.S.C. § 245.

However, under current law, the federal government is not able to help in cases where women, gay, transgender or disabled Americans are victims of bias-motivated crimes for who they are. For example, in Texas, in July 2005, four men brutally assaulted a gay man. While punching and kicking him, whipping him with a vacuum chord and assaulting him with daggers, the offenders told the victim that they attacked him because he was gay. Two of the men were sentenced to six years in prison under a plea bargain that dropped the charges that could have sent them to prison for life. Under this bill, federal authorities would have had the jurisdiction to prosecute the crime or could have provided local authorities resources that might have assisted them in pursuing a longer sentence.

Equipping Local Law Enforcement. The act would provide crucial federal resources to state and local agencies and equip local law enforcement officers with the tools they need to investigate and prosecute crimes. While most states recognize the problem of hate violence, and many have enacted laws to help combat this serious issue, federal government recognition of the problem is crucial to its solution. Too many local jurisdictions lack the full resources necessary to prosecute hate crimes. For example, when Matthew Shepard was murdered in Laramie, Wyo., in 1998, the investigation and prosecution of the case cost the community of 28,000 residents about $150,000, forcing the sheriff’s department to lay off five deputies in order to save money.

Ensuring Equal Application of the Law. The act would allow federal authorities to become involved if local authorities are unwilling or unable to act. In the hate crime on which the film Boys Don’t Cry was based, 21-year-old Brandon Teena was raped and later killed by two friends after they discovered he was biologically female. After the rape and assault, Teena reported the crime to the police, but Richardson County Sheriff Richard Laux, who referred to Teena as “it,” did not allow his deputies to arrest the two men responsible. Five days later, those two men shot and stabbed Teena to death in front of two witnesses, Lisa Lambert and Philip DeVine, who were then also murdered. JoAnn Brandon, Teena’s mother, filed a civil suit against Laux, claiming that he was negligent in failing to arrest the men immediately after the rape. The court found that the county was at least partially responsible for Teena’s death and characterized Laux’s behavior as “extreme and outrageous.” Had this federal hate crime law been in effect, federal authorities could have investigated and prosecuted the offenders when the local authorities refused to do so.
Americans overwhelmingly support the expansion of the hate crimes law. According to a new poll conducted by Hart Research, large majorities of every major subgroup of the electorate — including such traditionally conservative groups as Republican men (56 percent) and evangelical Christians (63 percent) — express support for strengthening hate crimes laws to include sexual orientation and gender identity. Support also crosses racial lines — with three in four whites (74 percent), African-Americans (74 percent) and Latino/as (72 percent) supporting the act.

More than 210 law enforcement, civil rights, civic and religious organizations support the passage of this crucial piece of legislation, including:

President George H.W. Bush’s attorney general, Dick Thornburgh
National Sheriffs’ Association
International Association of Chiefs of Police
National District Attorneys Association
Presbyterian Church
Episcopal Church
Leadership Conference on Civil Rights
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
National Council of La Raza
Parents Network on Disabilities
Human Rights Campaign
In addition, the bill is supported by 31 state attorneys general and the leading law enforcement organizations — because, despite progress toward equality in almost all segments of society, hate crimes continue to spread fear and violence among entire communities of Americans, and local law enforcement entities lack the tools and resources to prevent and prosecute these crimes.

Similar bills have passed both the House and Senate in recent years but have failed to be signed into law.

[maggiegee]

I still don't see why one murder, or assault, or whatever is worse than another. The purpose of laws is to enforce codes of CONDUCT not ways of thinking. As shitty as it can be, freedom of speech(or thought) gives everyone the RIGHT to think however they want, as long as they don't harm someone else. hence we punish the act, not the reason for the act.

I have to beg to differ with you my neighbor to the North, in the United
States we currently have varying degrees of murder, for instance;

Murder is the act of killing another human being with "malice
aforethought". Malice aforethought is defined to be the intent to kill or to
inflict bodily injury, either express or implied. If a deadly weapon is used,
intent to kill will necessarily be implied by a court of law.

First Degree Murder is the most serious. Most often, first degree murder
is categorized as "deliberate" - that is, the defendant made a clear
headed decision to kill the victim - and "premeditated" - the defendant
actually thought about the killing before it occurred (the period for this
can be very brief).

First Degree Felony Murder - A killing that happens during the course of
the commission of a felony, even if the death is accidental, will be
considered "felony murder" by most states. However, if the killing
happens during certain felonies, again determined by state, it will be
considered "first degree felony murder". The felonies most often included
in this category are arson, robbery, burglary, rape, mayhem and
kidnapping.

Second degree murder is criminal homicide that is deemed less severe
than first degree murder. The distinction between the first degree and
second degree varies by state and circumstance. Sometimes the charge
is based on the prosecutor's decision more so than the actual
circumstances of the homicide. Generally speaking, second degree
murder is homicide that is committed with malice but not with deliberation
or premeditation.

Manslaughter is a less severe crime of homicide that is committed without
the intent to murder, such as in cases of criminal negligence which result
in death. Criminal negligence can include careless or reckless use of a
vehicle, firearm, animals, medicine, and the like. In common law, the
year and a day rule was often applied, meaning that if someone died
within a year and a day of another party's act or negligence the latter
could be held responsible in a homicide case.

In crimes the 'mens rea' is taken into consideration. Mens rea is the
mental component of criminal liability. To be guilty of most crimes, a
defendant must have committed the criminal act (the actus reus) in a
certain mental state (the mens rea). The mens rea of robbery, for
example, is the intent to permanently deprive the owner of his property

Thus while homicides in most cases are reprehensible they are not
deemed equal in terms of sentencing and punishment.

This would be the case in the present discussion a regards the hate crime
legislation.

[maggiegee]

Contact The President:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/


Contact Your Senators:

http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm


Contact Congress:

http://www.visi.com/juan/congress/

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[Texxx]

I completely disagree with hate crime legislation. why should someone who kills my mother be treated more leniently than someone who kills a minority.

[anoid819]

I completely disagree with hate crime legislation. why should someone who kills my mother be treated more leniently than someone who kills a minority.

It doesnt always have to be a minority to be considered as a hate crime

[Wondergirl]

Is Bush going to veto it?

[maggiegee]

Thanks to the folks at the hrcactioncenter.

Feel free to use the template below to write to the President, and the
legislature, or to edit and personalize your thoughts.

Or you may may go to the provided link and send your letter from there.


http://www.hrcactioncenter.org/campaign/fighthate_house

Subject:

Support the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act


Dear [ Decision Maker ],


I'm writing to ask you to vote for the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act this month. As your constituent, and as a citizen, I believe law enforcement officials need additional support from the federal government to help fight bias-motivated violence.

As Americans, we must take a strong stand against violence committed against our neighbors for simply being themselves. The purpose of our government, first and foremost, is to protect all of our citizens - whether they are black, disabled, Christian transgendered, or gay.

This Act would also provide much-needed resources for local law enforcement agencies, so they can investigate and prosecute hate crimes. Opponents of the federal bill wrongly characterize its scope and purpose - this legislation is not about enhancing penalties for these types of crimes, nor does it punish thoughts or speech. The bill simply is about providing resources to law enforcement to help investigate, apprehend and prosecute vicious criminals.

This legislation has long been supported by 31 state Attorneys-General, former U.S. Attorney General Dick Thornburgh, the National District Attorneys Association, the National Sheriffs Association, the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the Police Executive Forum and many other law enforcement organizations.

Please vote for the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act.

Sincerely,
[Your name]
[Your address]

http://www.hrcactioncenter.org/campaign/fighthate_house

[maggiegee]

Is Bush going to veto it?

Well actually the legislation still needs some help as the President
may veto it, thus if folks can send in a letter as per outlined above.

[Wondergirl]

As if Bush listens.

[maggiegee]

http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l2/magi43/image235838x.jpg

Contact The President:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/


Contact Your Senators:

http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm


Contact Congress:

http://www.visi.com/juan/congress/

http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l2/magi43/WETHEPEOPLE.jpg

http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l2/magi43/respect.jpg

[Soledad]

I completely disagree with hate crime legislation. why should someone who kills my mother be treated more leniently than someone who kills a minority.

`Sup, newbie opinion here, means little but,

What about hate against the elderly, ummm or the obese, class hatred crimes, or midgets, how about obese midgets ? How about telemarketers ? Hate them too.

Motives are not the whole crime, only a small part. Were headed down a slippery slope here.

There, that`s my rant, now i`ll wait to get beat up for it and charge you with a hate crime ;-)

[maggiegee]

They support
The Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act

Forum Member Of Tgirl Talk Do You?

http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l2/magi43/finger_pointingcrop.jpg

Support For This Legislation

http://www.civilrights.org/issues/hate/llehcpa-supporter.html

The Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act is supported by
30 state Attorneys General and over 280 national law enforcement,
professional, education, civil rights, religious, and civic organizations.


**Orgs with hyperlinks contain letters to the House of Representatives in
support of the LLEHCPA.**

A. Philip Randolph Institute
AIDS National Interfaith Network
African American Ministers in Action
African-American Women's Clergy Association
Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (AG Bell)
Alliance for Rehabilitation Counseling
American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee
American Association for Affirmative Action
American Association of University Women
American Association on Health and Disability
American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
American Association on Mental Retardation (AAMR)
American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD)
American Citizens for Justice
American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)
American Conference of Cantors
American Council of the Blind
American Counseling Association
American Dance Therapy Association
American Ethical Union, Washington Office
American Federation of Government Employees
American Federation of Musicians
American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, AFL CIO
American Federation of Teachers
AFL-CIO
American Foundation for the Blind
American Islamic Congress
American Jewish Committee
American Jewish Congress
American Medical Association
American Medical Rehabilitation Providers Association (AMRPA)
American Music Therapy Association
American Network of Community Options and Resources (ANCOR)
American Nurses Association
American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA)
American Psychological Association
American Rehabilitation Association
American Speech-Language Hearing Association
American Therapeutic Recreation Association
American Psychological Association
Americans for Democratic Action
American Veterans Committee
And Justice For All
Anti-Defamation League
Aplastic Anemia Foundation of America, Inc.
Arab American Institute
The Arc of the United States
Asian American Justice Center
Asian American Legal Defense & Education Fund
Asian Law Caucus
Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance
Asian Pacific American Legal Center
Association for Gender Equity Leadership in Education
Association of Tech Art Projects (ATAP) c/o Washington Partners LLP
Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD)
Autism Society of America
AYUDA
Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law
Bi-Net
B'nai B'rith International
Brain Injury Association, Inc.
Break the Cycle
Buddhist Peace Fellowship
Business and Professional Women, USA
Catholics for Free Choice
Center for Community Change
Center for Democratic Renewal
Center for the Study of Hate & Extremism
Center for Women Policy Studies
Central Conference of American Rabbis
Chinese American Citizens Alliance
Christian Church Capital Area
Church Women United
Coalition of Black Trade Unionists
Coalition of Labor Union Women
Colorado Coalition Against Sexual Assault (CCASA)
Communication Workers of America
Congress of National Black Churches
Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities
Consortium of Developmental Disabilities Councils
Council for Learning Disabilities
Council of State Administrators of Vocational Rehabilitation
Cuban American National Council
Democrats.com
Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund
Disciples of Christ Advocacy Washington Network
Disciples Justice Action Network
Easter Seals
The Episcopal Church
Epilepsy Foundation
Equal Partners in Faith
Equal Rights Advocates, Inc.
Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, Office for Government Affairs
Fair Employment Council of Greater Washington
Family Pride Coalition
Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association
Federally Employed Women
Feminist Majority
Friends Committee on National Legislation
Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network
Gender Public Advocacy Coalition
GenderWatchers
General Federation of Women's Clubs
Goodwill Industries International, Inc.
Hadassah, the Women's Zionist Organization of America
Helen Keller National Center
Hispanic American Police Command Officers Association
Hispanic National Law Enforcement Association
Human Rights Campaign
Human Rights First
The Indian American Center for Political Awareness
Interfaith Alliance
International Association of Chiefs of Police
International Association of Jewish Lawyers and Jurists
International Association of Jewish Vocational Services
International Brotherhood of Teamsters
International Dyslexia Association
International Union of United Aerospace and Agricultural Implements
Japanese American Citizens League
Jewish Council for Public Affairs (on House Vote)
Jewish Labor Committee
Jewish Reconstructionist Federation
Jewish War Veterans of the USA
Jewish Women International
JAC-Joint Action Committee
Justice for All
LDA, The Learning Disabilities Association of America
Labor Council for Latin American Advancement
The Latino Coalition
Latino/a, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Organization
Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law
Leadership Conference on Civil Rights
LEAP- Leadership Education for Asian Pacifics, Inc.
Learning Disabilities Association of America
League of Women Voters
League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC)
Legal Momentum
Log Cabin Republicans
Major Cities Chiefs Association
MALDEF - Mexican American Legal Defense & Education Fund
MANA - A National Latina Organization
Maryland State Department of Education
Matthew Shepard Foundation
The McAuley Institute
Methodist Federation for Social Action
Moderator's Global Justice Team of Metropolitan Community Churches
National Abortion Federation
NAACP
NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc.
NA'AMAT USA
NAKASEC- National Korean American Service & Education Consortium, Inc
National Abortion Federation
National Asian Pacific American Women's Forum
National Asian Peace Officers Association
National Association for Multicultural Education
National Association of Commissions for Women
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
National Alliance of Postal and Federal Employees
National Asian Pacific American Bar Association
National Association for the Education and Advancement of Cambodian, Laotian and Vietnamese Americans
National Association of Collegiate Women Athletics Administrators
National Association of the Deaf
National Association of Developmental Disabilities Councils (NADDC)
National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO)
National Association of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Centers (on House Vote)
National Association for Multicultural Education
National Association of People with AIDS
National Association of Private Schools for Exceptional Children
National Association of Rehabilitation Research and Training Centers
National Association of School Psychologists
National Association of Social Workers
National Black Police Association
National Black Women's Health Project
National Center for Lesbian Rights
National Center for Transgender Equality
National Center for Victims of Crime
National Center for Women & Policing
National Coalition Against Domestic Violence
National Coalition for Asian Pacific American Community Development
National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs
National Coalition on Deaf-Blindness
National Coalition of Public Safety Officers
National Conference for Community and Justice (NCCJ)
National Congress of American Indians
National Congress of Black Women
National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA
National Council of Jewish Women
National Council of La Raza
National Council of Women's Organizations
National Disability Rights Network
National District Attorneys Association
National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS)
National Education Association
National Federation of Filipino American Associations
National Fragile X Foundation (Fragile X)
National Gay and Lesbian Task Force
National Hispanic Leadership Agenda (NHLA)
National Italian American Foundation
National Jewish Democratic Council
National Korean American Service and Education Consortium
National Latino Police Officers Association
National League of Cities
National Mental Health Association
National Multicultural Institute
National Newspaper Publishers Association
National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives
National Organization for Women
National Parent Network on Disabilities
National Partnership for Women & Families
National Puerto Rican Coalition, Inc.
National Rehabilitation Association
National Respite Network
National Sheriffs' Association
National Spinal Cord Injury Association
National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the United States
National Structured Settlement Trade Association (NSSTA)
National Therapeutic Recreation Society
National Urban League
National Victim Center
National Women's Conference
National Women's Committee (NWC)
National Women's Law Center
National Youth Advocacy Coalition
NISH
NOW - National Organization for Women
NOW Legal Defense & Education Fund
NETWORK, A National Catholic Social Justice Lobby
9to5 Atlanta
9to5 Bay Area
9to5 Colorado
9to5 Los Angeles
9to5 Poverty Network Initiative (Wisconsin)
9to5, National Association of Working Women
North American Federation of Temple Youth
Northwest Women's Law Center
Organization of Chinese Americans
ORT- Organization for Educational Resources and Technological Training
Paralyzed Veterans of America
Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays
People For the American Way
Police Executive Research Forum
Police Foundation
Presbyterian Church (USA), Washington Office
Pride at Work
Project Equality, Inc.
Rainbow/PUSH Coalition
Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America
Research Institute for Independent Living
The Rabbinical Assembly
Rock the Vote
Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law
School Social Work Association of America
Service Employees International Union, AFL-CIO
Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF)
Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues
South Asian American Leaders of Tomorrow (SAALT)
Southeast Asia Resource Action Center
Southern Poverty Law Center
Spina Bifida Association of America
Union of Reform Judaism
Union of Needletrades, Industrial & Textile Employees (UNITE)
Unitarian Universalist Association
United Cerebral Palsy
United Church of Christ – Justice and Witness Ministries
United Church of Christ - Office of Church in Society
United Food and Commercial Workers International Union
United Methodist Church – General Board of Church and Society
United Methodist Church - General Commission on Religion and Race
United Spinal Association
The United States Conference of Mayors
United States Student Association
United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism
Washington Teachers Union
The Woman Activist Fund, Inc.
Women Employed
Women of Reform Judaism, Federation of Temple Sisterhoods
Women Work!
Women's Alliance for Theology, Ethics & Ritual
Women's American ORT
The Women's Institute for Freedom of the Press
Women's Law Center of Maryland, Inc.
Women's Research and Education Institute (WREI)
World Institute on Disability (WID)
YWCA of the USA

[MizzJune]

I completely disagree with hate crime legislation. why should someone who kills my mother be treated more leniently than someone who kills a minority.

It doesnt always have to be a minority to be considered as a hate crime

EXACTLY! And Texxx, what if someone ASSUMED that your mother was a member of one of the groups that were proposed to be added to the hate crimes act and murders her in a way that was extremely severe based upon such an assumption? I feel like instead of trying to say that someone shouldn't be "treated better than"...we should all recognize that certain groups (statistically) are more prone to fall victim to violent crimes that may often result in death. It is a proven fact based on studies done nationwide- that Transgender, Gender non-conforming, and intersex people are 7-10 times more likely than any other group to be a victim of murder. I agree that gender identity should be added to this act- and I will sign on with the hopes that it will be passed. Thank you for posting this, Maggie... it was greatly appreciated.
~MiZz JuNe~

[maggiegee]

I completely disagree with hate crime legislation. why should someone who kills my mother be treated more leniently than someone who kills a minority.

It doesnt always have to be a minority to be considered as a hate crime

EXACTLY! And Texxx, what if someone ASSUMED that your mother was a member of one of the groups that were proposed to be added to the hate crimes act and murders her in a way that was extremely severe based upon such an assumption? I feel like instead of trying to say that someone shouldn't be "treated better than"...we should all recognize that certain groups (statistically) are more prone to fall victim to violent crimes that may often result in death. It is a proven fact based on studies done nationwide- that Transgender, Gender non-conforming, and intersex people are 7-10 times more likely than any other group to be a victim of murder. I agree that gender identity should be added to this act- and I will sign on with the hopes that it will be passed. Thank you for posting this, Maggie... it was greatly appreciated.
~MiZz JuNe~

At this point in time elder abuse is a crime that is regulated and
prosecuted at the State level.

Here is a link to state by state statutory citations.

http://www.elderabusecenter.org/default.cfm?p=statelaws.cfm#citations

Due to the extremely heinous nature of elder abuse, it in all likelihood
should be afforded Federal prosecution.

Statistically, The Judiciary Committee cited FBI figures that there have
been more than 113,000 hate crimes since 1991, including 7,163 in 1995.
It said that racially motivated bias accounted for 55 percent of those
incidents, religious bias for 17 percent, sexual orientation bias for 14
percent and ethnicity bias for 14 percent.

I will be supplementing these figures as I obtain them


What is elder abuse?

Elder abuse is a term referring to any knowing, intentional, or negligent
act by a caregiver or any other person that causes harm or a serious risk
of harm to a vulnerable adult. The specificity of laws varies from state to
state, but broadly defined, abuse may be:

Physical Abuse - Inflicting, or threatening to inflict, physical pain or injury
on a vulnerable elder, or depriving them of a basic need.

Emotional Abuse - Inflicting mental pain, anguish, or distress on an elder
person through verbal or nonverbal acts.

Sexual Abuse - Non-consensual sexual contact of any kind.

Exploitation - Illegal taking, misuse, or concealment of funds, property, or
assets of a vulnerable elder.

Neglect - Refusal or failure by those responsible to provide food, shelter,
health care or protection for a vulnerable elder.

Abandonment - The desertion of a vulnerable elder by anyone who has
assumed the responsibility for care or custody of that person.

Elder abuse can affect people of all ethnic backgrounds and social status
and can affect both men and women.

[Texxx]

a. most states already have hate crime laws, so why make it federal? congress already pokes their noses into WAY too many areas that they shouldn't.

b. I think it is just wrong for any group of people to be treated differently than another.

[maggiegee]

You still have time to support this bill!

The bill hasn't been vetoed yet.

Please support your community.

http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l2/magi43/le06.gif

http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l2/magi43/WETHEPEOPLE.jpg

[maggiegee]

http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l2/magi43/image235838x.jpg

Contact The President:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/

Contact Your Senators:
http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

Contact Congress:
http://www.visi.com/juan/congress/
Thanks to the folks at the hrcactioncenter.
Feel free to use the template below to write to the President, and the
legislature, or to edit and personalize your thoughts.
Or you may may go to the provided link and send your letter from there.

http://www.hrcactioncenter.org/campaign/fighthate_house
Subject:
Support the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act

Dear [ Decision Maker ],

I'm writing to ask you to vote for the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act this month. As your constituent, and as a citizen, I believe law enforcement officials need additional support from the federal government to help fight bias-motivated violence.
As Americans, we must take a strong stand against violence committed against our neighbors for simply being themselves. The purpose of our government, first and foremost, is to protect all of our citizens - whether they are black, disabled, Christian transgendered, or gay.
This Act would also provide much-needed resources for local law enforcement agencies, so they can investigate and prosecute hate crimes. Opponents of the federal bill wrongly characterize its scope and purpose - this legislation is not about enhancing penalties for these types of crimes, nor does it punish thoughts or speech. The bill simply is about providing resources to law enforcement to help investigate, apprehend and prosecute vicious criminals.
This legislation has long been supported by 31 state Attorneys-General, former U.S. Attorney General Dick Thornburgh, the National District Attorneys Association, the National Sheriffs Association, the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the Police Executive Forum and many other law enforcement organizations.
Please vote for the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act.
Sincerely,
[Your name]
[Your address]
http://www.hrcactioncenter.org/campaign/fighthate_house

[saiskfup73]

i really hope this petition is unfounded it would be horrible to find out that in fact high ranking officials would actually allow u.s. citzens to be harmed