Boxer, Feinstein laud hate crimes measure passage

October 25, 2009

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Compiled by Benjamin Demers
Daily Bulletin

California Sens. Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein on Thursday praised final Senate passage of legislation to strengthen the abilities of federal, state and local law enforcement to investigate and prosecute hate crimes.

"Hate crimes are particularly offensive because they are propelled by bias, ignorance and bigotry," said Boxer, a Democrat. "These crimes do not just ... inflict harm on one victim, but they also instill fear in entire communities. And no person - simply because of who they are - should ever have to live in fear."

The Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act passed as an amendment to the Defense Authorization bill in July. It adds gender, sexual orientation, disability and gender identity to the list of protected categories under federal hate crimes laws. The measure also provides additional federal support to state and local authorities investigating and prosecuting hate crimes, according to a news release from Boxer's office.

Read the entire article at the Daily Bulletin.