Strengthen hate-crime laws

Forty-five states and the District of Columbia now have enacted hate crime laws - many based on a model drafted by the Anti-Defamation League. But a significant number of states do not include coverage of crimes based on sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or disability in their statutes. State and local authorities will continue to investigate and prosecute the overwhelming majority of hate crime cases. But this essential legislation will provide a necessary backstop by permitting federal authorities to provide assistance - and by allowing them to prosecute when state and local authorities are unable or unwilling to act.

The bill has been endorsed by more than 275 national civil rights, professional, civic, education, and religious groups, 26 state attorneys general, and a number of the most important national law enforcement organizations, including the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the Major Cities Chiefs Association, the National District Attorneys Association, the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, the National Sheriffs' Association, and the Police Executive Research Forum.

This measure has repeatedly attracted majority, bipartisan support in both the Senate and the House. Unfortunately, a veto threat from President Bush stalled progress in the last Congress. With the support of President Obama and Attorney General Eric Holder, this long overdue and needed measure may finally be adopted.

Barry Morrison is regional director of the Eastern Pennsylvania/Delaware Region of the Anti-Defamation League.

E-mail Barry Morrison at bmorrison@adl.org.