IV 
110TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. RES. 535 
Commending David Ray Ritcheson, a survivor of one of the most horrific 
hate crimes in the history of Texas, and recognizing his efforts in 
promoting Federal legislation to combat hate crimes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JULY 11, 2007 
Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas (for herself, Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN, Ms. BALDWIN, 
Mr. COHEN, Mr. CUMMINGS, Mr. AL GREEN of Texas, Mr. GENE GREEN 
of Texas, Mr. GRIJALVA, Mr. GUTIERREZ, Mr. ISRAEL, Ms. KILPATRICK, 
Ms. LEE, Ms. MOORE of Wisconsin, Mr. NADLER, Mr. DELAHUNT, Mrs. 
NAPOLITANO, Ms. LINDA T. SA´NCHEZ of California, Mr. SCOTT of Vir-
ginia, Ms. WOOLSEY, Mr. WYNN, Ms. WATSON, Ms. EDDIE BERNICE 
JOHNSON of Texas, Ms. CLARKE, Mr. LEWIS of Georgia, Ms. WATERS, 
Mrs. BIGGERT, Mr. CONYERS, and Mr. ELLISON) submitted the following 
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary 
RESOLUTION 
Commending David Ray Ritcheson, a survivor of one of 
the most horrific hate crimes in the history of Texas, 
and recognizing his efforts in promoting Federal legisla-
tion to combat hate crimes. 
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; 
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•HRES 535 IH 
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 en-
dured 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 victim-
ized like David Ray Ritcheson simply because he is of a 
different background, race, religion, ethnic group, or sex-
ual orientation; 
Whereas of all crimes, hate crimes are most likely to create 
or exacerbate tensions that can trigger larger community- 
wide racial conflict, civil disturbances, and riots in com-
munities at-risk of serious social and economic con-
sequences; 
Whereas hate-motivated violence disrupts the tranquility and 
safety of communities, impedes the movement of mem-
bers of targeted groups, and prevents members of tar-
geted groups from purchasing goods and services, obtain-
ing 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 Govern-
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•HRES 535 IH 
ment 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 
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 to-
ward the eradication and elimination of hate crimes in the 
United States. 
Æ 
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