JEWISH COUNCIL FOR PUBLIC AFFAIRS APPLAUDS INTRODUCTION OF HATE CRIMES LEGISLATION

March 27, 2001 – Washington, DC – The Jewish Council for Public Affairs (JCPA) today welcomed the introduction of the Local Law Enforcement Enhancement Act, also known as the Hate Crimes Prevention Act.

The Act will enhance federal hate crimes laws by removing needless barriers to federal prosecution of hate crimes, and extending protections of the law to individuals persecuted because of their actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender or disability.

In a statement released today, JCPA Chair Dr. Leonard A. Cole said:

We applaud the introduction of bipartisan hate crime legislation this afternoon.  Sadly, in the years the Congress has failed to act on this legislation, the nation has witnessed continued hate crimes perpetrated against people because of their religion, race, ethnicity, gender, disability and sexual orientation.  In fact approximately 50,000 hate crimes have been reported over the last five years, with nearly 8,000-reported last year. Each attack, whether on a Jewish Community Center and murder of a Filipino postal worker in California or shooting rampages in the suburbs of Chicago or Pittsburgh, remind us of the need to be relentless in our national struggle against hatred and intolerance.

Though this legislation may not wholly thwart hate crimes, it sends a powerful message that crimes motivated by prejudice will not be tolerated in our society. Bias-motivated crimes committed against any individual hurt not only that person but also chip away at the very pillars of liberty, tolerance, and dignity that support American democracy.  We urge the Congress to act expeditiously on this very important legislation.

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The Jewish Council for Public Affairs is the public affairs arm of the organized Jewish community and serves as the national coordinating and advisory body for the 13 national and 122 local agencies comprising the field of Jewish community relations.