Pelosi: Urges Immediate Action on Hate Crimes Prevention Law

February 2, 2006

Pelosi: Urges Immediate Action on Hate Crimes Prevention Law
Thursday, February 2, 2006
Contact: Brendan Daly/Jennifer Crider, 202-226-7616
Washington, D.C. - House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi released the following statement today on the need to enact a federal hate crimes prevention law in light of the attack in New Bedford, MA.:
?As the brutal attack in New Bedford clearly indicates, hate crimes persist in our country, and federal hate crimes prevention legislation is long overdue.
?Hate crimes have no place in America. All Americans have a fundamental right to feel safe in their communities - regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity, race, color, religion, national origin, gender, or disability.
?Last September, the House of Representatives voted 223 to 199 to pass a hate crimes prevention measure - the first time that hate crimes prevention legislation had a substantive vote in the House. I urge the Senate to follow the House's lead and pass a federal hate crimes prevention law without delay.
?We must act to end hate crimes. We must honor this nation's commitment to the ideals of justice, equality and opportunity.?