NCJW President Urges Co-Sponsorship of the Hate Crimes Prevention Act
July 15, 2003, New York, NY -- Marsha Atkind, President of the National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) issued the following statement to members of the House of Representatives today.
July 15, 2003
Dear Representative;
On behalf of the 90,000 members and supporters of the National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW), I urge you to become an original co-sponsor of Hate Crimes Prevention Act (HR 1343 in the 107th Congress) being introduced by Representatives John Conyers (D-MI) and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL).
For over a century, NCJW has been at the forefront of social change, raising its voice on important issues of public policy. Inspired by our Jewish values, NCJW has been, and continues to be, an advocate for the needs of women, children, and families and a fervent supporter of strong federal hate crimes legislation.
The Hate Crimes Prevention Act commits the federal government to strengthen federal law to protect those victimized because of gender, sexual orientation, or disability on the same basis as those already protected against violence motivated by race or religion. By authorizing federal assistance, this bill provides help to local law enforcement officials who lack the resources to prosecute hate crimes with the necessary vigor. It also removes overly restrictive language from existing law that too often ties the hands of federal prosecutors.
While some states have hate crimes laws on the books, few provide the comprehensive protection contained in this bill. The Hate Crimes Prevention Act commits the nation anew to the national ideal of equal protection under the law.
It is now time for Congress to make the statement that crimes of hate will not be tolerated in America. The Hate Crimes Prevention Act is a constructive and measured response to violence motivated by prejudice. I again urge you to become an original co-sponsor of this critical legislation by contacting Keenan Keller with Rep. Conyers' Judiciary staff (5-6906) or Muffy Lewis with Rep. Ros-Lehtinen (5-3931).
Sincerely,
Marsha Atkind
President
NCJW is a volunteer organization, inspired by Jewish values, that works to improve the quality of life for women, children, and families and to ensure individual rights and freedoms for all through its network of 90,000 members, supporters, and volunteers nationwide.
Contact:
Sammie Moshenberg
202 296 2588; sammie@ncjwdc.org