April 26, 2002

Dear Senator:

On behalf of the 155,000 members and affiliates of the American Psychological Association (APA), I am writing to request your support for S. 625, the Local Law Enforcement Enhancement Act of 2001 (LLEEA). APA is committed to ending discrimination for all Americans, which has become all the more urgent with the increase in hate crimes since September 11^th.

LLEEA would strengthen our nation's response to hate crimes by expanding federal jurisdiction over hate crimes 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, S. 625 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 posttraumatic 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 enactment of LLEEA.

Once again, we urge you to support the Local Law Enforcement Enhancement Act (S. 625). If you have any questions or would like additional information, please contact Jeff McIntyre of our APA Public Policy Office at (202) 336-6064, 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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