U.S. Rep. Kendrick B. Meek (D-FL) Votes to Support Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Rep. Kendrick B. Meek (D-FL) today voted to provide new resources to help state and local law enforcement agencies prevent and prosecute hate crimes. The Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act (H.R. 1913) will also close gaps in current federal hate crimes law.

"It is essential that Florida receives any resources to assist in preventing and prosecuting hate crimes during this time of our nation’s economic and financial woes," said Congressman Meek. "Legislation that protects Floridians from violent acts of intolerance, as well as extending and enhancing civil rights protections is imperative to our current and future hate crime stance. As a society, we must intervene to reduce and prevent violence among our youth whose actions, if not drug or alcohol induced, are rooted prejudices in an environment that disdains someone who is deemed as different."

The bill also extends protections to more Americans. The current federal hate crimes law authorizes federal aid in cases of hate crimes committed because of a person’s race, color, religion, or national origin. This bill closes gaps in federal law to also help combat hate crimes committed because of a person’s gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability.

The Act is a bipartisan bill that has passed the Congress several times over the last few years – each time by bipartisan majorities. Most recently, on May 3, 2007, the House passed a virtually identical hate crimes prevention bill (H.R. 1592).

The bill is supported by more than 300 law enforcement, religious, civil rights, disability, and other organizations, including such key law enforcement groups as the International Association of Chiefs of Police, National Sheriffs’ Association, Police Executive Research Forum, Police Foundation, and National District Attorneys Association.

U.S. Rep. Kendrick B. Meek represents the 17^th Congressional District of Florida which includes parts of Miami-Dade and Broward Counties. He serves as the lone Florida Democrat sitting on the House Committee on Ways and Means.

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