September 17, 2003

Dear Representative:

On behalf of the 150,000 members and affiliates of the American Psychological Association (APA), I am writing to request your support as an original cosponsor of the "Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2003." APA is committed to ending discrimination for all Americans, which has become all the more urgent with the increase in hate crime since September 11th. This vital legislation is being introduced by Representatives John Conyers (D-MI) and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) as the House companion bill to the "Local Law Enforcement Enhancement Act of 2003" (S.966) in the Senate.

The "Hate Crimes Prevention Act" would strengthen our nation's response to hate crimes by expanding federal jurisdiction and by providing state and local law enforcement with federal assistance to prosecute hate crimes. Currently, hate crimes can only be prosecuted at the federal level when motivated by bias based on race, religion, national origin, or color and when the victim is engaged in a federally protected activity (e.g., voting) and in several other circumstances specified by statute. Hence, hate crimes often go unrecognized and unprosecuted. This bill would enable the federal government to address those cases that other jurisdictions are either unable or unwilling to investigate and prosecute, while retaining primary responsibility for hate crime prosecution at the state and local level.

In addition, the "Hate Crimes Prevention Act" would expand current law to recognize crimes motivated by a person's gender, sexual orientation, or disability. Hate crimes committed against these groups are forms of discrimination. The federal government needs to have jurisdiction over such crimes to further protect its citizens at increased risk for such victimization.

APA members are actively engaged in research and practice initiatives related to hate crimes. Psychological research has demonstrated deleterious mental health outcomes (e.g., depression and anxiety, including post-traumatic stress disorder) for victims of hate crimes. APA stands ready as a resource to you regarding empirically-based research on hate crimes and their outcomes in your deliberations concerning the "Hate Crimes Prevention Act."

This legislation had strong bi-partisan support in the House last Congress and was re-introduced in the Senate in May with 49 cosponsors. Once again, we urge you to become an original cosponsor of the "Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2003." To cosponsor, please call Keenan Keller with Rep. Conyers' Judiciary Committee staff (5-6906) or Muffy Lewis with the office of Rep. Ros-Lehtinen (5-3931). For additional information, contact Diane Elmore, Ph.D. in our Public Policy Office at (202) 336-6097 or via email or visit our Web site at http://www.apa.org/ppo/issues/phatecrime.html.

Sincerely,

Henry Tomes, Ph.D.
Executive Director for Public Interest

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