01/14/2009
https://www.congress.gov...
"I think it absolutely is. If one looks at the hate crimes statistics over the last decade, you will see that the third largest component of hate crimes involves sexual orientation."
"Those kinds of crimes are worthy of consideration, examination by the Federal Government."
"We do not think that there is any problem in that regard."
"This is a bill that is designed to prosecute and hold people accountable for conduct, not for speech."