Just out., February 16, 2001, Page 13, Image 13

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Senator gets the ball rolling on hate crimes legislation
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.S. Sen. Gordon Smith, R-Ore.,
she read to her son’s killers during their trial.
expressed confidence Feb. 11 that She encouraged people to do their part in
his latest attempt to enact federal fighting ignorance and fear by simply coming
hate crimes legislation will suc­ out at work.
ceed. He made the announce­
“I know it’s a big step, and I know it’s a risk,”
ment during the dinner that kicked off the 2001
Shepard said. “But it’s a risk that has to be taken,
Oregon Hate Crimes Conference at the Eugene because hate is everywhere.”
Hilton.
Smith said he and
U.S. Sen. Edward
Kennedy, D-Mass.,
are ready to send out
a “dear colleagues”
letter seeking co­
sponsors for the legis­
lation, which failed
to make it out of the
House during the last
session of Congress.
Their amendment
would add sexual ori­
entation to existing
hate crimes laws.
“I believe it will
pass the Senate...by
an overwhelming bi­
partisan majority— a U .S. Sen. Gordon Smith, R-Ore., promises Judy Shepard he’ll fight for
veto-proof majori­ hate crimes legislation
ty,” Smith said during an interview with Just
Shepard also asked audience members to
let others know that hateful language is unac­
Out. “I believe that had our bill last year been
brought up in the House it would have passed ceptable. “When you don’t speak up, you’re
implicitly giving permission to those individu­
there as well, quite comfortably.”
als to advance to the next step of hate, which
Smith said he couldn’t speak for President
Bush, whose stance on a federal statute is is violence.”
More than 600 law enforcement officers,
unclear, but called this a wonderful opportunity
for the administration to reach out to the gay educators and activists attended the three-day
and lesbian community. “I’m going to pressure conference, “Eliminating Bias Crimes: Heal­
ing Our Communities.” A total of 34 work­
him all 1 can.”
Smith said hate crimes legislation gives the shops were held on subjects including “Far
Right Groups in the Northwest,” “Organizing
federal government the power to enforce civil
rights laws in those states that are reluctant to the Faith Community” and “Hate on the
Internet.”
do so. He said this sends a message that can
One of the hot topics of conversation during
change hearts and minds.
the
dinner was a draft copy of a bill by state Sen.
“People can debate its effectiveness, but I
like its value both symbolically and substantive­ Gary George, R-Newberg, circulated Feb. 9 that
ly,” Smith said. “I believe the federal govern­ would add oppressed corporations to the list of
ment ought to have the ability to come to the hate-affected populations. Former Oregon Gov.
Barbara Roberts demanded lawmakers immedi­
aid of any group or category of citizens that is the
ately reject the “cynical” proposal.
potential object of hate crimes.”
“This bill and its sponsor, who I believe is a
Smith said he is trying to open people’s eyes
on Capitol Hill about the Local Law Enforce­ very uncaring legislator, should be forced to look
in the faces of Judy and Dennis Shepard,” she
ment Act. He has faced fierce opposition from
said.
“How dare he show such disrespect to the
within his own party on the issue.
real victims of hatred and violence, and I want
“I believe some of those who voted against
the bill last year will vote for it in the coming you to tell him so.”
The hotel also was filled with teens attend­
year as a result of the work I’m doing,” Smith
ing the Youth Conference on Hate Crimes,
said. “Republicans are just as capable of growing
as Democrats when it comes to how we stand up which was restricted to those 19 and younger.
Organizers were pleased with the turnout.
and protect our citizens against hate crimes."
Among the workshops offered was “Hate and
Keynote speaker Judy Shepard, whose son
Matthew was murdered in 1998 because of his the Extreme Music Scene,” a topical subject
considering controversial rapper Eminem is
sexual orientation, was not so optimistic. "All
respect to Sen. Smith, I think it’s going to be a expected to win several Grammy Awards on
Feb. 21. Shepard, whose son was the focus of a
little longer before we move forward.”
recent
unauthorized MTV biopic, took the net­
Shepard joined him for a press conference
prior to the dinner. She thanked Smith for his work to task for sending mixed messages.
“I find it really disturbing that that’s the mes­
efforts to push hate crimes legislation.
“I’m really disappointed that it didn ’t go sage that’s getting to our young people," she said.
through last year,” Shepard said. “I was a little “M TV’s just sort of gone into outer space, and I
concerned considering the change of leadership think it’s really unfortunate.’ ' j n
in the White House, but...you just have to stay
To contact S en . G a r y G e o r g e , call
hopeful."
The audience was in tears during Shep­ 503-986-1702 or send e-mail to
ard’s speech, which included the statement george.sen@state.or.us.
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