Senate Proceeding on Jul 15th, 2009 :: 3:01:45 to 3:05:45
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3:01:41 to 3:02:02( Edit History Discussion )

Charles Schumer: that floor privileges be given to linda hoffa, who is a detailee in my office. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. specter: i hadn't notic senator have eyes in the back of my head, but i yield the floor to him. mr. schumer: thk you. the presiding officer: the senator from new york. mr. schumer: he's so astute that most of us think he does have eyes in the back

3:01:45 to 3:05:45( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: Charles Schumer

3:02:03 to 3:02:23( Edit History Discussion )

Charles Schumer: head, because he sees and knows all. anyway, it is good to be here, and i rise today in support, madam president, of vital legi more than a decade has passed since matthew shepard was brutally murdered and bill that bears his name is still not law. the matthew shepard hate crimes prevention act has

3:02:24 to 3:02:46( Edit History Discussion )

Charles Schumer: bipartisan support here in the senate. it passed handily in the house and has of the president and the attorney general. indeed, attorney genal holder recently told the senate judiciary committee that passage of this legislation is one of -- quote -- "his highest personal priorities." it's essential that we act now to pass

3:02:47 to 3:03:08( Edit History Discussion )

Charles Schumer: the matthew shepard act the law of the according to f.b.i. statistics more than 9,000 violent hate crimes were perpetrated in 2007. experts tell often go unreported, so the actual number is in order of probability. whatever the number, all hate crimes are unacceptable.

3:03:09 to 3:03:29( Edit History Discussion )

Charles Schumer: they are crimes inflicted not merely on indiduals, but entire communities much as mr. holder put it -- quote -- "perpetrators of hate crimes seek to deny the humanity that we all share, regardless of the color of our skin, whom we pray or whom we choose to love." let me be clear, this

3:03:30 to 3:03:50( Edit History Discussion )

Charles Schumer: legislation does not criminalize speech or hateful thoughts. it seeks only to punish action, violent action that undermines the core values of our nation. this legislation strengthens the ability of state and local governments to prosecute hate crimes by providing grants to help them meet the often onerous expenses involved in

3:03:51 to 3:04:11( Edit History Discussion )

Charles Schumer: investigating these crimes. it also enables the justice department to assist state local governments in prosecuting hate crimes or to step in when these governments fail to act. even though the aggregate number of hate crimes has slightly decreased nationally over the past decade, the number of crimes against certain groups has risen.

3:04:12 to 3:04:33( Edit History Discussion )

Charles Schumer: hispanic americans have increasingly become the targets of bigots rage. according to a recent a.p. story, the number of fatal hate crimes increased by a shocking 30% last year. indeed, late last year there was a particularly chilling hate crime perpetrated in new york

3:04:34 to 3:04:54( Edit History Discussion )

Charles Schumer: against an jose esvaldo. jose, a father of two, was walking home with his arms around his brother and was viciously attacked with an aluminum baseball bat while his perpetrators yelled antigay and anti-immigrant slurs. this sends a clear message to

3:04:55 to 3:05:16( Edit History Discussion )

Charles Schumer: those perpetrators and all others, in america we do not tolerate acts of violence motivated by hate in vulnerable communities. in america, you are free to be yourself and you should never be attacked for doing so. what message will it send to americans if we fail to this legislation? i wonder. i worry.

3:05:17 to 3:05:35( Edit History Discussion )

Charles Schumer: i urge my colleagues to support this much-need legislation. madam president, i yield the floor and note the absence of a the presiding officer: the clerk will call the roll.