Reply from Senator Harkin [hate crimes]

Thank you for contacting me. I am always glad to hear from you.

I appreciate hearing your views on legislation intended to combat hate crimes.

I am an original cosponsor of S. 909, the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009, and I was pleased it was included as a provision of the National Defense Authorization Act, which recently passed the Senate.

This legislation, which has bipartisan support, provides broader federal jurisdiction to prosecute hate crimes, including crimes motivated by race, skin color, religion, gender, sexual orientation or disability. It also allows effective prosecution even when hate crimes are committed in states that lack hate crime statutes, or where local law enforcement lacks the resources for this type of prosecution. Additionally, it provides federal grant money to states to enable these jurisdictions to successfully prosecute hate crime offenders.

Importantly, this bill makes criminal only acts of violence, not speech. The legislation expressly states that it does not intrude upon constitutionally protected rights. The bill places no limits on freedom of speech, expression, and religion, through such means as picketing and demonstrations.

Hate crimes strike at a fundamental principle - that a person should be able to live in peace without being a victim of violence because of who they are. Such acts are not only crimes against the victim but also entire communities and our American ideals. Each year, over 9,000 hate crime incidents are reported in the United States. The Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act sends a clear message that violence against a person based on race, skin color, religion, gender, sexual orientation or disability will not be tolerated anywhere in this country. I assure you that I will continue to fight for the protection of all citizens' constitutional rights.

Again, thanks for sharing your views with me. Please don't hesitate to let me know how you feel on any issue that concerns you.