President Issues Statement In Support of Hate Crimes Bill

President Barack Obama has issued a statement in favor of H.R. 1913, the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009, more commonly known as "the hate crimes bill."

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 28, 2009

STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT ON H.R. 1913, THE LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT HATE CRIMES PREVENTION ACT OF 2009

This week, the House of Representatives is expected to consider H.R. 1913, the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009. I urge members on both sides of the aisle to act on this important civil rights issue by passing this legislation to protect all of our citizens from violent acts of intolerance – legislation that will enhance civil rights protections, while also protecting our freedom of speech and association. I also urge the Senate to work with my Administration to finalize this bill and to take swift action.

The hate crimes bill passed both houses of Congress last year (U.S. House 237-180 and U.S. Senate 60-39) but the measure did not become law because it was stripped from the Department of Defense authorization conference report.

H.R. 1913 will be debated on the floor of the House tomorrow. The companion Senate bill, the Matthew Shepard Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act was introduced today with main co-sponsors Senators Kennedy (D-MA), Leahy (D-VT), Snowe (R-ME) and Collins (R-ME).

You can follow the action by going to FightHateNow.org and following the tweet #FightHateNow.