New York, NY, June 7, 2000…The Anti-Defamation League (ADL), a pioneer in drafting model hate crimes legislation and in promoting hate crimes laws across the country, today hailed the New York State Senate’s passage of a meaningful hate crimes bill calling, it an "historic moment in New York State history."

Howie Katz, ADL New York Regional Director, and Phyllis Barell, ADL Long Island Regional Director, issued the following statement:

The Anti-Defamation League welcomes this long-awaited, historic moment in New York State’s history. New York’s Senate leadership finally has taken a significant step toward confronting the problem of bias-motivated violence plaguing our state.

Following the leadership of Governor George Pataki, the bill’s chief sponsor Senator Roy M. Goodman and co-sponsors Senators James J. Lack and Nancy Larraine Hoffmann, the State Senate has sent a powerful message that senseless acts motivated by bigotry and hatred will not be tolerated. We commend Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno for allowing this issue to see the light of day and for permitting long-overdue Senate action on this bill.

We are confident that the Assembly, under the leadership of Speaker Sheldon Silver, can work out the minor differences between the two house bills so that New York can finally join the other forty-two states that have enacted meaningful hate crimes laws.

Hate crimes legislation, which would enhance penalties for bias-motivated offenses, has been pending in Albany for 13 years. While the Assembly has consistently passed a bill, the Senate Majority had never permitted a floor debate or vote on any hate crimes bill.

Howie Katz also serves as Chair of the Hate Crimes Bill Coalition, a coalition of over 100 community organizations, district attorneys and elected officials dedicated to passing a meaningful hate crimes bill in New York.

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.