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Councilmember Praises Passage of the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act
Washington, D.C. – Later today, Councilmember David Catania (At-Large) will attend a White House Reception commemorating President Obama’s signing of the “Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act” (the “Matthew Shepard Act”). This landmark civil rights legislation was recently passed by the 111th Congress after years of failed attempts. Previous hate crimes legislation died in the face of Republican opposition in each of the 107th, 108th, and 109th sessions of Congress. After being defeated again in the 110th Congress, the Act was introduced as an amendment to a defense reauthorization bill by the late Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA). The amendment, however, was ultimately dropped when it came under pressure from Senate Republicans and former President George W. Bush.
“I am proud to represent the District of Columbia at the White House ceremony celebrating the passage of the Matthew Shepard Act. It will be a ceremony that is long overdue,” said Catania. “I am thankful for those members of Congress who have fought to protect the safety and human rights of all minority groups year after year. Today, I will honor their perseverance.”
The Matthew Shepard Act provides additional prosecutorial protections to the current federal hate crimes legislation. The Act empowers the Department of Justice with the authority to investigate and prosecute violence whereby the perpetrator has targeted the victim based upon the victim’s actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability. In addition, the Act provides federal funding for local jurisdictions to conduct investigations, judicial proceedings, and training and prevention programs for bias-motivated crimes. The Act is named for the victims of two brutal hate crimes: Matthew Shepard, a gay teenager from Wyoming, who was beaten to death; and James Byrd, Jr., an African-American man from Texas, who was tied to a truck and dragged to death.
On October 22, 2009, the Senate voted to pass the measure, by a 68-29 vote. The bill is scheduled to be signed into law by President Obama today.
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