NCJW Applauds House Vote on Hate Crimes
September 28, 2004, Washington, DC -- The National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) praised the House of Representatives for today’s vote in support of strengthening and expanding existing federal hate crimes law. This vote comes several weeks after the Senate voted to add the “Local Law Enforcement Enhancement Act (LLEEA),” as an amendment to the Department of Defense Authorization bill. NCJW President Marsha Atkind released the following statement:
"Today’s vote reaffirms the overwhelming support for passage of the 'Local Law Enforcement Enhancement Act.' By instructing its conferees to support the Senate's hate crimes provision in the Defense authorization bill, representatives have made clear their commitment to the same federal protections for the victims of hate crimes based on gender, sexual orientation, and disability as are provided in cases based on race, religion, ethnicity and national origin.
"LLEEA would also provide assistance to local and state law enforcement agencies for the investigation and prosecution of hate crimes. LLEEA will therefore enhance the ability of local authorities to perform thorough investigations of hate crimes while alleviating the financial burden that has often inhibited such investigations.
"It is long past time for Congress to make clear that that crimes of hate and prejudice will not be tolerated in America. It can do so by agreeing in conference committee to retain the LLEEA provision in the final Defense Department Authorization bill. The many victims of heinous attacks motivated by hate deserve no less."
NCJW is a volunteer organization, inspired by Jewish values, that works to improve the quality of life for women, children, and families and to ensure individual rights and freedoms for all through its network of 90,000 members, supporters, and volunteers nationwide.
Contact:
Becky Dansky
202-296-2588; becky@ncjwdc.org