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CHECKLIST FOR IMPLEMENTING EXECUTIVE ORDER 13087 ISSUED MAY 28TH 1998 |
I share with many Americans a sense of grief and outrage at the
tragic and violent death of Billy Jack Gaither in Alabama. This
heinous and cowardly crime touches the conscience of our country, just
as the terrible murders of James Byrd in Texas and Matthew Shepard in
Wyoming did last year.
In times like this, the American people pull together and speak
with one voice, because the acts of hatred that led to the deaths of
such innocent men are also acts of defiance against the values our
society holds most dear.
That is why I will continue to work for passage of the Hate Crimes
Prevention Act, which can empower the federal government, working with
local authorities, to do even more to deter, investigate and help
prosecute crimes of hatred. The legislation would remove needless
jurisdictional requirements and give the Department of Justice the
power to prosecute hate crimes committed because of the victim's sexual
orientation, gender or disability.
Laws represent values that we as a society cherish, and among
those values is a belief that intolerance is un-American. And
intolerance, left unchallenged, can inspire evil deeds that threaten
the very fabric of this great country. All Americans deserve
protection from hate. Nothing is more important to our country's
future than our standing together against intolerance, prejudice and
violent bigotry. Congress can give power to such shared values by
passing the Hate Crimes Prevention Act. In so doing, all Americans can
be made more safe and secure.
Hillary and I offer our prayers for the family and friends of Mr.
Gaither, and our hope that their love for him, together with God's
grace, will carry them through these trying times.
THE WHITE HOUSE Office of the Press Secretary For Immediate Release March 5, 1999