CONGRESSWOMAN EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON VOTES TO CLOSE GAPS IN HATE CRIMES LAW

Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act passes House 249-175

Washington, DC – Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson today voted for H.R. 1913, the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act, which passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 249-175. 

Under current law, the federal government can only investigate hate crimes motivated by the victim’s race, color, religion or national origin. The Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act closes the gap in existing hate crimes law by extending federal jurisdiction to hate crimes motivated by the victim’s actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or disability, and provides assistance to state and local law enforcement to streamline the investigation and prosecution of hate crimes.  It also authorizes the U.S. Attorney General to make grants to state and local law enforcement agencies that have incurred extraordinary expenses associated with the investigation and prosecution of hate crimes. 

“I was proud to vote for the bipartisan Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act,” Congresswoman Johnson said.  “Local law enforcement officers have called on Congress to give them the support they need to prosecute and deter violent hate crimes.  With this vote, we in the House of Representatives answer their call and reaffirm that crimes motivated by hatred and bigotry have no place in our society.”

More than 118,000 hate crimes have been documented by the FBI since 1991, and more than 7,624 hate crimes were committed in 2007 alone.  The Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes prevention Act is supported by more than 300 law enforcement, religious, civil rights, disability and other organizations, including the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the National Sheriffs’ Association, the Police Foundation and the National District Attorneys Association.

Congresswoman Johnson plans to introduce legislation that would extend hate crimes protection to people who are homeless.  Her statement in support of the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act, which includes a discussion of the need for protection of homeless individuals, follows:

I rise today in support of H.R. 1913, the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act.  I have been a strong supporter of increased law enforcement support and protections against hate crimes for many years, and today’s vote represents a historic step forward in recognizing and fighting against violent bias-motivated crimes.

Each year there are thousands of individuals who are targets of violent crime based solely on their appearance, means, or lifestyle.  These hate crimes are not only meant to physically harm the victim, but degrade all individuals of similar identity and instill a pervasive sense of fear amongst that community.  While each and every violent crime is traumatic, hate crimes are not only devastating for the victim and their family, but for all individuals who identify with the victim, whether or not they actually knew that person.

Hate crimes are more prevalent than many may realize.  Despite significant underreporting, more than 100,000 hate crimes have been reported since 1991. In addition, the number of hate groups that exist within our country continues to rise; espousing a message of hatred and often plans of targeted violence.

This legislation will allow for much needed federal assistance in the prevention and prosecution of hate crimes, and provide money to states to develop hate crimes prevention programs.  No American deserves to feel a threat to their physical safety simply because of who they are or how they look.

While I strongly support the passage of this legislation, I do believe there is a strong need to include homeless individuals into this bill.  Often nameless and faceless victims of violence, homeless individuals are amongst the highest targeted groups for hate violence. 

According to statistics collected by the National Coalition for the Homeless, there have been 774 violent acts perpetrated against homeless individuals since 1999. These attacks occurred in 235 cities throughout our country, in 45 states, and in one territory. 217 of these attacks resulted in death ranging from these individuals suffering severe beatings to being set on fire.  Many of these incidents were committed by groups targeting the homeless, and some were even video-taped for future sale and amusement.

It is important that we recognize these acts as hate crimes at a federal level. Many states are currently considering the recognition of these violent acts as hate crimes, with Maryland having already done so.  We cannot continue to ignore the plight of this group, and the fear and violence that have been experienced by scores of homeless individuals.

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U.S. Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson is the highest-ranking Texan on the House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure and a senior member of the Science Committee. She represents the 30th Congressional District of Texas, which, includes Downtown Dallas, Fair Park, Oak Lawn, Old East Dallas, Pleasant Grove, & South Oak Cliff; all of Balch Springs, DeSoto, Hutchins, Lancaster & Wilmer and parts of Cedar Hill, Duncanville, Ferris, Glenn Heights and Ovilla.