H. Res. 535 

In the House of Representatives, U. S., 

July 23, 2007. 

Whereas David Ray Ritcheson, a Mexican-American, was a 

friendly and cheerful student at Klein Collins High 

School in the Houston suburb of Spring, Texas, and a 

popular and talented football athlete who was loved and 

admired by his family and friends; 

Whereas on April 23, 2006, at the age of 16, David Ray 

Ritcheson was severely assaulted while attending a party 

in Spring, Texas; 

Whereas the former running back and freshman homecoming 

prince spent more than three months in the hospital as 

a result of the injuries he suffered in the assault and endured more than 30 surgeries to restore his appearance 

and regain the normal use of his bodily functions; 

Whereas no human being deserves to be tortured and victimized like David Ray Ritcheson simply because he is of a 

different background, race, religion, ethnic group, or sexual orientation; 

Whereas of all crimes, hate crimes are most likely to create 

or exacerbate tensions that can trigger larger communitywide racial conflict, civil disturbances, and riots in communities at-risk of serious social and economic consequences; 
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Whereas hate-motivated violence disrupts the tranquility and 

safety of communities, impedes the movement of members of targeted groups, and prevents members of targeted groups from purchasing goods and services, obtaining or sustaining employment, and fulfilling the American 

Dream; 

Whereas the courageous, eloquent, and compelling testimony 

of David Ray Ritcheson before a committee of the House 

of Representatives brought into vivid relief the human 

face of victims of hate crimes and the terrible suffering 

that such crimes inflict on victims and their families, 

friends, and communities; 

Whereas David Ray Ritcheson, in his testimony, emphasized 

that he was a survivor who urged the Federal Government to take the lead in deterring individuals like those 

who attacked him from committing violent crimes against 

others because of where they are from, the color of their 

skin, the God they worship, the person they love, or the 

way they look, talk, or act; 

Whereas David Ray Ritcheson’s powerful testimony helped 

inspire the House of Representatives to pass the Local 

Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2007 

(H.R. 1592 of the 110th Congress), which incorporates 

key provisions of the David Ray Hate Crimes Prevention 

Act of 2007 (H.R. 254 of the 110th Congress); 

Whereas David Ray Ritcheson vowed to do whatever he could 

to help make the United States a hate-free place in which 

to live; 

Whereas the courage displayed by David Ray Ritcheson is an 

inspiration to all Americans and reinforces the message 
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that acts of bigotry and hate are unacceptable in the 

United States; and 

Whereas, on July 1, 2007, David Ray Ritcheson died at the 

age of 18: Now, therefore, be it 

Resolved, That the House of Representatives mourns the 

passing of David Ray Ritcheson and commends him for his 

activism in contributing and raising awareness toward the 

eradication and elimination of hate crimes in the United 

States. 

Attest: 

Clerk.