Pro tempore Statement on Hate Crimes Bishop Dixon was invited by President Clinton to speak in support of the Federal Hate Crimes Prevention Act on April 6 at a White House press briefing. She joined the Attorney General of the State of Maine, Andrew Ketterer, and the President in addressing 60 people in the Roosevelt Room. Senators, Congress people, members of the press, representatives of private business and others were present to show their support of this bill. This legislation will expand coverage of the law to include crimes against people due to gender, sexual orientation and disability.
Coverage already exists for crimes due to race, creed, and religion.
Good morning Mr. President and distinguished guests. I am pleased to speak with you today, but saddened almost beyond speaking by the cause that brings me here. However, the depth of my sadness at the atrocities that make the Federal Hate Crimes Prevention Act necessary compels me to speak. I begin from the principle that all life is sacred, because I follow a God who created all humans in the image of God. Because we are all created in God's image, violence against any one of us is a sacrilege and blasphemy against the Creator.