House Proceeding 10-06-09 on Oct 6th, 2009 :: 0:08:05 to 0:17:25
Total video length: 1 hours 6 minutes Stream Tools: Stream Overview | Edit Time

Note: MetaVid video transcripts may contain inaccuracies, help us build a more perfect archive

Views:22 Duration: 0:09:20 Discussion

Previous speech:

Next speech:

0:07:54 to 0:08:15( Edit History Discussion )

Hank Johnson: the gentleman from missouri. mr. skelton: i yield such time he may consume to the gentleman from georgia, mr. johnson. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from georgia is recognized. mr. johnson: thank you, mr. speaker. and thank you, mr. chairman.

0:08:05 to 0:17:25( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: Hank Johnson

0:08:16 to 0:08:38( Edit History Discussion )

Hank Johnson: it's important to note that the hate crimes legislation has passed as a standalone bill in the house three times over the last decade. and now it's attached to the department of defense authorization or appropriations

0:08:39 to 0:09:02( Edit History Discussion )

Hank Johnson: bill. i'm happy, mr. chairman, to see this bill which is an important and long overdue step in our continuing efforts to secure for all americans the full blessings of liberty under our constitution. and on several occasions, as i

0:09:03 to 0:09:25( Edit History Discussion )

Hank Johnson: said, this bill has passed the house and the senate this year with the support of the president. i'm hopeful that we will finally see the bill signed and enacted. mr. speaker, the incidents of hate crimes is continuing at a high rate.

0:09:26 to 0:09:46( Edit History Discussion )

Hank Johnson: i think we've seen the degeneration of the leve of political discourse in this country as it has descended into threats of misconduct and violence.

0:09:47 to 0:10:08( Edit History Discussion )

Hank Johnson: and i just want to point out a historical fact here. because the incidents of hate crimes certainly is continuing at a high rate. the incidents of brutal violence against individuals based on hateful bias against certain identifiable groups has unfortunately a long and

0:10:09 to 0:10:32( Edit History Discussion )

Hank Johnson: shameful history in this country. for example, nearly 4,000 african-americans were tore turd and killed between 1880 and 1930. -- tortured and killed between 180 and 1930. i have to confess to you, my days go back a little longer

0:10:33 to 0:10:54( Edit History Discussion )

Hank Johnson: than that, but i must -- i must tell you that since 1991 there have been more than 118,000 hate crimes documented by the f.b.i. it's been 7,624 just in 2007.

0:10:55 to 0:11:16( Edit History Discussion )

Hank Johnson: and those are only documented cases. what this bill does, ladies and gentlemen, who are viewing and listening to this message, it enables the justice department to come -- come to the aid of state and local law enforcement

0:11:17 to 0:11:37( Edit History Discussion )

Hank Johnson: agencies in investigating and brutality. and it helps to defer their costs when they -- when these kinds of crimes go through state and local resources. and if necessary and approved by the senate highest

0:11:38 to 0:11:58( Edit History Discussion )

Hank Johnson: confirmed department officials it authorizes the department to step in and prosecute at the federal level. the bill expands existing federal hate crimes law beyond the narrow confines of protecting access to a limited set of specified protected

0:11:59 to 0:12:19( Edit History Discussion )

Hank Johnson: activities and it adds to the current list of group characteristics deservedly recognized for protection due to there being well-known targets for biased-based violence, four new ones that clearly needs to be on the

0:12:20 to 0:12:40( Edit History Discussion )

Hank Johnson: list, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and disability. these crimes of violence are directed not just against those who are directly attacked, they are targeting the entire group with the threat of violence, and no group should have to

0:12:41 to 0:12:58( Edit History Discussion )

Hank Johnson: live under that kind of threat as they seek to go about their lifestyle here in america. everyone should be protected.

0:13:18 to 0:13:42( Edit History Discussion )

Hank Johnson: . consistent with the judgment made by the states that have state hate crimes laws, they have made the same judgment as we have made for federal law that many groups should be protected elsewhere in the law, not in hate crimes law. and argument is often made tha

0:13:43 to 0:14:03( Edit History Discussion )

Hank Johnson: since this is a state offense the fed should not get involved with it, but i'll tell you, the sell of drugs, state law violation, also federal law

0:14:04 to 0:14:26( Edit History Discussion )

Hank Johnson: violation, our criminal code, our federal criminal code is mirrors sometimes the state laws and other times state laws mirror federal law when it comes to certain activities that are against the law.

0:14:32 to 0:14:53( Edit History Discussion )

Hank Johnson: . and this bill is definitely consistent with the constitution. it applies only to violent crimes. it in no way impinges on constitutionally protected speech, writing or other expression, including expression

0:14:54 to 0:15:15( Edit History Discussion )

Hank Johnson: of religious beliefs, but not limited to that. that would be true in any event, but we stated plainly in the bill. this bill has widespread support over 120 co-sponsors and more than 300 civil rights education, religious and civic

0:15:16 to 0:15:39( Edit History Discussion )

Hank Johnson: organizations, i naacp and aclu and leadership conference of civil rights. virtually every major law enforcement organization in this country has endorsed the bill including the international association of chiefs of police, the national district attorneys

0:15:40 to 0:16:02( Edit History Discussion )

Hank Johnson: asciation and most district attorneys that i know of certainly not flaming liberals. they believe in the rule of law and they believe that when there is a criminal law violation, they will prosecute to the full extent of the law.

0:16:03 to 0:16:24( Edit History Discussion )

Hank Johnson: so that's very important, national district attorneys association. the national sheriffs association, the police executive research forum and 31 state attorney generals. that's very impressive. and it's supported by over 45

0:16:25 to 0:16:46( Edit History Discussion )

Hank Johnson: leading mainstream religious organizations that dismiss claims that the bill would somehow interfere with religious speech, unfounded fears. in acting the law enforcement hateful crimes is a critical step towards keeping our

0:16:47 to 0:17:08( Edit History Discussion )

Hank Johnson: communities safe from hate-based violence and ensuring that all americans can enjoy the blessis of liberty without fear. i urge my colleagues to support this important legislation and i will yield the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the

0:17:09 to 0:17:25( Edit History Discussion )

Hank Johnson: gentleman from virginia. mr. forbes: mr. speaker, the gentleman talked about the rule of law. it is the rule of law that we're concerned with today, the rule of law that this administration refuses to obey by sending the document and the information, the statute requires so we can