I am deeply concerned about the problem of hate crimes in the United States. As the recent White House Conference on Hate Crimes demonstrated, it is a concern shared by the President and by Americans throughout the country. As a Nation, we have made great progress in reducing the level of hatred and bigotry. But bias-related violence and intimidation continue to injure our people and mar our communities, to threaten the progress we have made and impede new advances.
Hate crimes have no place in civilized society.
Earlier this year I asked the Office of the Deputy Attorney General to establish a Hate Crimes Working Group to examine the problem of hate crimes. Last month the Working Group submitted to me a memorandum outlining a number of specific proposals that together would comprise the Department's Hate Crimes Initiative. As the President announced, the centerpiece of the Department's initiative is the formation in each U.S. Attorney's District of a working group consisting of federal, state, and local law enforcement, as well as local community leaders and educators, to develop a comprehensive approach to hate crimes. This is an ambitious agenda. But you should know that we are not asking you and your local working groups to accomplish this alone.