Hate Crime
HATE CRIME -- (Senate - September 21, 2006)
Ms. CANTWELL. Mr. President, the Jewish New Year is a time for celebration, prayer, and reflection. As friends and family commemorate the high holy days which begin tomorrow evening, Jewish communities across Washington State and around the world will come together, consider the past, and look to the year ahead.
Rosh Hashanah brings new beginnings and new energy; Yom Kippur calls for atonement and forgiveness. These ideals extend beyond religion or race--they build common ground and inspire shared sacrifice. All of this was threatened by an act of senseless violence and hate this summer in Seattle. We cannot give in to that hate.
During these days of repentance and renewal, I share a commitment to ending violence and to living with one another in peace both around the world and here in our own communities.
Yet we are still shocked and saddened by the pain and loss of July 28, 2006, when a gunman driven by hate, forced his way into the offices of the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle. He killed one woman and wounded five others before surrendering to police.
Our community tries to recover, but we are stunned. The King County Prosecutor said: ``Make no mistake, this was a hate crime.''
I mourn the loss of Pamela Waechter, a beautiful woman and warm spirit who lost her own life while trying to improve the lives of others. All across Washington State we have been asking the same questions. How could such an event happen in our community? How could such violence be carried out in our city in the name of hate?
There is never any justification for a hate crime, anywhere. That this horrific crime took a life so suddenly and so uselessly is a tragedy for all of Seattle. We must recommit ourselves to the goal laid out by Rabbi Mirel. He said: ``Hatred will not be our legacy.''
We must do more, both as a national community and as individuals, to recognize the brutality of this crime and to respond to this terrible event. And we must do more to demonstrate that the only kind of intolerance Americans will abide is an intolerance for short-term answers and shortsighted conclusions.
Pamela Waechter, who was killed in July, set an example for us all through her involvement in the Seattle community. She moved to Seattle in 1979. After raising two children, Pamela became a student at the University of Washington and graduated with a degree in nutrition.
Pamela worked at Jewish Family Service and later at the Jewish Federation, where she did outreach and fundraising. She rose from secretary to two-term president at Temple B'nai Torah. Pamela stood out in her dedication, and brought the diverse people of this city together across boundaries of ethnicity or religion.
My thoughts and prayers go out to the victims and their families. We honor their spirit during these Days of Awe by celebrating their deeds, pursuing peace, and seeking renewal.
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