New York, NY, June 26, 1996...ADL today welcomed Senate passage of the Church Arsons Prevention Act of 1996, which would make it easier for federal authorities to investigate and prosecute attacks on houses of worship. The rash of fires that have damaged dozens of Southern churches prompted Congress to respond by providing increased jurisdiction and assistance with investigations and extending the Hate Crime Statistics Act (HCSA). HCSA requires government to collect data on bias-motivated crimes.

While the House unanimously passed a similar measure on June 18, the Senate bill, sponsored by Sens. Kennedy (D-MA) and Faircloth (R-NC), incorporates important additional measures, including: a six year renewal of HCSA, federal assistance for investigations of the arsons, and the establishment of a Loan Guarantee Recovery Fund to help rebuild damaged property in the communities impacted by the arsons. The House is expected to take up the Senate version of the bill later this week.

ADL has long urged enactment of a permanent mandate for HCSA. The Senate-passed bill provides only a six year mandate yet represents an important step toward institutionalizing the ongoing monitoring of hate crimes and an appropriate response to these hurtful attacks on the churches.

ADL National Chairman David H. Strassler and National Director Abraham H. Foxman issued the following statement:

We commend the Senate's bipartisan action to undermine the attempts of haters to make victims feel isolated and vulnerable. Expanding federal jurisdiction for these hate crimes and requiring government collection of data in order to assess the nature and magnitude of the problem demonstrate that punishing hate violence is a serious priority for law enforcement.

We look forward to working with the House toward swift enactment of this legislation -- to reaffirm that victims of hate crimes have the full support of Congress and of the American criminal justice system.

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.