The Mountain States Region of the Anti-Defamation League today hailed Congress’ passage of the Mathew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crime Prevention Act, and welcomed the anticipated signature of the measure by President Obama later this week.

ADL Mountain States Regional Director Bruce H. DeBoskey issued the following statement:

Hate crimes are a very real problem in our society.  When victims are targeted for their race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation or other immutable characteristics, the crimes resonate far beyond the individual victim.  These crimes tear at the fabric of our society, creating fear and insecurity especially for anyone who shares the characteristics of the victims.

The Anti-Defamation League applauds the passage last week of the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crime Prevention Act.  The approval of the Hate Crime Prevention Act is a landmark achievement in the decades-long effort to combat hate violence – and cause for celebration.  This legislation is the most important, comprehensive and inclusive federal hate crime law enacted in the past 40 years.

The United States Congress has sent a strong message that bias-motivated attacks are unacceptable and warrant serious, sustained efforts to address them. It is about time we sent this message to the perpetrators of hate crimes: “We will not tolerate these acts anywhere in our country!”

We thank especially Colorado Senators Bennet and Udall, and Reps. DeGette, Markey, Perlmutter, Polis and Salazar for voting to make this new law a reality.