Van Hollen Statement on House Passage of the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009

Statement

Today, Congressman Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Assistant to the Speaker, issued the following statement on House passage of the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009:

"Our country was founded on the bedrock principle of protecting individual freedoms. We need to protect the rights of individuals who are assaulted because of who they are, and we are better equipped today to do that with the passage of the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009.

"Current federal hate crimes law authorizes federal aid in cases of violent crimes motivated by the victim's race, color, religion, or national origin. This legislation expands that to include gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability.

"This bipartisan bill also provides local and state law enforcement agencies with the resources needed to combat the thousands of hate crimes that occur in our country each year, equips our local law offices with the tools they need to prosecute hate crimes, and provides monetary relief to those agencies that have incurred extraordinary expenses associated with the investigation and prosecution of hate crimes.

"Our nation thrives because of the freedoms we guarantee each of our citizens. Those liberties are at risk if hateful discrimination and violence are allowed to flourish and threaten the safety of individuals and our communities. I am proud to have voted for this legislation, as it will enhance civil rights protections and help protect individuals and our communities from the terror and anguish that hate crimes inflict."

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