Schakowsky Applauds House For Passing Hate Crimes Legislation

SCHAKOWSKY APPLAUDS HOUSE FOR PASSING HATE CRIMES LEGISLATION

WASHINGTON, DC–U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) released the following statement today after the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2007 passed the U.S. House by a vote of 237 to 180.

"I was proud to cast my vote today for H.R. 1592, the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2007. The U.S. House of Representatives took a historic stand against hatred and the violence it engenders among the most vulnerable groups of people.

This legislation enhances federal protections for victims of violent crimes motivated by hate and supports the efforts of local law to prosecute those crimes. Protection was extended to victims of crimes in which they suffer bodily injury that were motivated by hatred based on the victim's gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability.

No one deserves to be targeted for violence based on who they are or what they look like -- no one....