New York, New York, March 5, 1999…The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today welcomed President Clinton’s strong resolve to work for passage of the Federal Hate Crimes Prevention Act (HCPA). The importance of this act has been underscored not only by the tragic racial murder of James Byrd in Texas and the horrific killing of Matthew Shepard in Wyoming last year but also by the most recently reported brutal hate crime, the killing of Billy Jack Gaither in Alabama. Mr. Gaither was allegedly attacked because he was gay.

The HCPA will expand the Federal Government’s ability to prosecute bias-motivated crimes and insure that the perpetrators of such crimes are brought to justice. This legislation will address hate violence in states where individuals are not protected either because a state does not have a hate crimes law or because one or more groups is not protected under the existing law. ADL regards passage of this bill as one of its highest legislative priorities. Every American deserves protection against hate violence.

The League has been a pioneer in drafting and promoting hate crimes laws across the country since 1981. Forty states have now enacted statutes based on or similar to ADL’s model legislation.

Editor’s Note: To arrange and interview with an ADL expert or to receive ADL material on hate crimes or hate crimes legislation, please call (212) 885-7749 or weekends, (212) 885-7911.

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.