I commend Leader Dick Gephardt, John Conyers, and Barney Frank for their dedication and skillful work on hate crimes. And I thank Judy Shepard and Officer O'Malley for joining us today. The nation is asking for leadership by Congress on this important issue. The historic vote the House is about to take is an excellent opportunity to provide it.
Hate crimes are a national disgrace.
They're an attack on everything this country stands for. They send a poisonous message that some Americans are second class citizens because of their race, their ethnic background, their religion, their sexual orientation, their gender or their disability. We need to take a strong and unequivocal stand against any of these despicable crimes. 42 to add hate crimes legislation to the Department of Defense authorization bill. Congress should speak with one voice.