WHEREAS:

An important step in stemming hate crimes — acts of violence, vandalism, and other wrongdoing motivated by race, ethnicity, religion, or sexual preference — has been achieved by the enactment of the Hate Crimes Statistics Act; and

WHEREAS:

AFSCME supported the passage of this Act; and

WHEREAS:

New information on the prevalence of hate crimes will be forthcoming due to the enactment of this Act; and

WHEREAS:

The scope of hate crimes which may be prosecuted under existing federal law is limited.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

That AFSCME urge the Congress and the President to review the data collected by this Act for the purpose of assessing the adequacy of existing federal law allowing the prosecution of hate crimes.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That AFSCME support Congressional and Presidential initiatives to broaden the role of the federal government in the prosecution of hate crimes.

SUBMITTED BY:

Richard H. Scott, Delegate
AFSCME Local 2187, Council 47
Philadelphia, PA