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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 11th.
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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