Wendy Sherman: “I rise along with the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Conyers) and the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Woolsey) and 199…”

“I rise along with the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Conyers) and the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Woolsey) and 199 cosponsors in support of a Federal hate crimes statute. We must show the world that we are not engaged in a war on Islam, but instead are forming our laws to reflect the fact that we are building the most diverse country in the history of the world. Mr. Speaker, it is said that a single act of violence should not be subject to different levels of punishment. But the fact is that we often enhance punishment due to the motivations of the perpetrator, and racial and religious hatred is one motivation that deserves enhanced punishment. We also adjust punishment when the perpetrator causes a greater harm; and hate crimes not only hurt the physical victim, but also tear at the fabric of our society. There was a hate crime in my district 2 years ago. The Jewish Community Center was invaded and children were shot. Not only were their families victims of this act, but there was fear at Jewish community centers from one end of this country to the other. It is time that we reflect this higher level of harm with a higher level of punishment by passing the Federal hate crimes statute.”