News
House Unanimously Condemns Shepard Murder
By Darlene Superville, The Associated Press
(AP, WASHINGTON) – The House pledged Thursday to fight prejudice and
intolerance as it voiced outrage over the beating death of a gay University
of Wyoming student.
"We cannot lie down, we cannot bury our heads and we cannot sit on our
hands," said Rep. Barbara Cubin, R-Wyo., sponsor of a resolution that
passed by voice vote.
"We will not stand for the arbitrary killing of other people due to any
hateful act of intolerance," added Cubin, whose two sons knew the
21-year-old victim.
Matthew Shepard died Monday at a Colorado hospital, five days after being
found pistol-whipped and tied to a fence post in near-freezing temperatures
outside Laramie, Wyo.
Rep. Diana DeGette, D-Colo., a co-sponsor, said protection is needed for
gays and lesbians who live their daily lives in fear of being violently
attacked or killed.
"Matthew Shepard's murder proves their fear is not unjustified," she said.