News

Log Cabin Republicans Applaud passage of H.R. 1913 on Hate Crimes Prevention

April 29, 2009

(Washington, DC) – Log Cabin Republicans National Board Chairman Terry W. Hamilton issued the following statement on the passage of House Resolution 1913 – The Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Enforcement Act.

"Log Cabin Republicans is encouraged by the passage of H.R. 1913 – it provides local and state law enforcement with the funding and tools necessary to fully prosecute crimes of the most heinous nature – those based out of hate," comments Hamilton. "We are happy to join the National Sheriffs' Association, the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the National District Attorneys Association, the Presbyterian and Episcopal Churches and other law enforcement and civil rights organizations in support of this legislation."

Log Cabin Republicans spokesman Charles T. Moran further comments: "As Republicans, we are heartened to see that free speech, from whatever perspective, will be strengthened. This legislation specifically protects First Amendment rights, preserves and protects the rights of all Americans to express their own individual opinions, be it in the public square, in their private homes or their pulpits," states Moran. "This is not hate-speech legislation – it is hate-crime legislation."

H.R. 1913 provides federal funding and assistance from the Department of Justice for local and state law enforcement agencies, or where local authorities are unwilling or unable to act, by taking the lead in investigations and prosecutions of bias-motivated, violent crimes resulting in death or serious bodily injury. The legislation also makes grants available to state and local communities to combat violent crimes committed by juveniles, train law enforcement officers or assist in state and local investigations and prosecutions of bias-motivated crimes.

A 2007 Hart Research poll shows large majorities of every major subgroup of the American electorate – including such traditionally conservative groups as Republican men and evangelical Christians – expressing support for strengthening hate crimes laws.

These eighteen Republican legislators voted in support of H.R. 1913. The thousands of Log Cabin Republican members across the nation thank them for their support, and encourage the Senate to act swiftly to pass this legislation as well.

Judy Biggert of Illinois, Mary Bono-Mack of California, Joseph Cao of Louisiana, Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, Mike Castle of Delaware, Mike Coffman of Colorado, Charlie Dent of Pennsylvania, Lincoln Diaz-Balart of Florida, Mario Diaz-Balart of Florida, Rodney Frelinghuysen of New Jersey, Jim Gerlach of Pennsylvania, Mark Kirk of Illinois, Leonard Lance of New Jersey, Frank LoBiondo of New Jersey, Todd Platts of Pennsylvania, Dave Reichert of Washington, Illeana Ros-Lehtinen of Florida, and Greg Walden of Oregon.