Washington, D.C., November 4, 1997...The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) presented President Clinton with its new document, Hate Crimes: ADL Blueprint for Action, in advance of the first White House Conference on Hate Crimes scheduled for November 10. The publication is a compilation of ADL legislative, educational and training initiatives to combat hate crimes and prejudice which can be replicated in communities across the country.

"President Clinton is focusing national attention on a problem that has long plagued this nation but has only recently emerged as a high priority," said Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director, and Howard P. Berkowitz, ADL National Chairman. "Hatred hurts, and bigotry and prejudice lie at the core of all hate crimes. These crimes can damage the fabric of our society and leave minorities fearful, angry and unwilling to trust authority."

"By convening this conference, the President has recognized the importance of tackling bigotry and bias-motivated crimes head on. Yet, the full potential of the conference will only be realized if it sparks the development of a forward-looking national prevention and education strategy to address hate crimes and the prejudice that motivates them," continued Mr. Foxman and Mr. Berkowitz. "The League has drafted model hate crimes legislation designed to prompt law enforcement training and provide more severe penalties to perpetrators. More than forty states have enacted penalty-enhancement laws based on the ADL model. The greatest challenge now in most jurisdictions is not the enactment of legislation, but its the implementation--combined with educational initiatives intended to deter such crimes."

Hate Crimes: ADL Blueprint for Action provides hate crimes prevention and response strategies such as penalty enhancement laws, training for law enforcement and the military, security for community institutions, and community anti-bias awareness initiatives. The ADL report outlines anti-bias education and diversity training programs such as A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE Institute Peer Training, and college and university-based anti-bias projects, and also provides year-by-year information from the ADL Audit of Anti- Semitic Incidents,ADL resources on hate violence counteraction, and state hate crime statutory provisions.

EDITORS/PRODUCERS NOTE: Hate Crimes: ADL Blueprint for Action is available on-line on NEXIS, search code USNW, and from the ADL Media Relations Department. To arrange interviews with ADL experts contact the ADL Media Relations Department at (212) 885-7749.

The Anti-Defamation League, founded in 1913, is the world's leading organization fighting anti-Semitism through programs and services that counteract hatred, prejudice and bigotry.