New York, NY, March 11, 1999…The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today hailed the introduction of the Hate Crimes Prevention Act (HCPA) in Congress. The Act would strengthen the ability of federal authorities to investigate and prosecute bias-motivated crimes.

"The nation woke up to the horror of hate crimes following the brutal murders of James Byrd Jr. and Matthew Shepard. Yet the killing has not stopped. Only three weeks ago in Alabama, Billy Jack Gaither was bludgeoned to death by two men, allegedly because he was gay," said Howard P. Berkowitz, ADL National Chairman, and Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director.

Under current Federal law, the government must prove that the crime occurred because of a person’s membership in a protected group, such as race or religion, and because he or she was engaging in a federally-protected activity (such as voting, going to school, or working). The HCPA would eliminate these overly-restrictive limitations and provide authority for federal investigations and prosecutions in cases in which the bias violence occurs because of the victim’s sexual orientation, gender or disability.

"State and local authorities investigate and prosecute the overwhelming majority of hate crime cases -- and will continue to do so after the HCPA is enacted," said Mr. Berkowitz and Mr. Foxman. "While forty states have enacted hate crimes laws -- many based on ADL’s model statute -- fewer than half the state laws cover crimes directed at individuals because of their sexual orientation, gender, or disability. The HCPA would provide a necessary backstop to state and local enforcement by permitting federal authorities to provide assistance in these investigations -- and by allowing federal prosecutions when necessary to achieve a just result.."

The HCPA is sponsored by Sens. Edward Kennedy (D-MA), Arlen Specter (R-PA), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Gordon Smith (R-OR), and Charles Schumer (D-NY), and by Reps. John Conyers (D-MI), Connie Morella (R-MD), Richard Gephardt (D-MO), and Michael Forbes (R-NY).

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.