We Did It! The James Byrd Hate Crimes Act is now LAW - 5/11/2001
Congratulations! This is a victory for Texas!
5/11/2001 Update: Gov. Perry signs James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Bill: Click Here
5/10/2001 Update: House Overwhelmeingly Accepts Senate Version in 90-55 vote: Click Here
5/08/2001 Update: Dallas Morning News Praises Senate for bill passage: Click Here
5/07/2001 Update: Texas Senate Passes James Byrd Hate Crimes Act 20-10 (Sen. Shapiro's 'poison pill' amendment, removing the enumerated lists, was defeated 17-12): Click Here
5/03/2001 Update: Senate Committee votes 5-1 for James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Act: Click Here
5/02/2001 Update: Dallas Morning News Editorial urges Senators to support Hate Crimes Act. Read their editorial: Click Here
4/24/2001 Update: Texas State House Passes James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Act 87-60!
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After three years of hard work, the James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Act is now law. It is amazing what we can do together now that George W. Bush is out of Austin. It wasn't easy, but we did it! The action information will remain on the page... I'd suggest writing your senators and Representatives. I'm very proud of the Democrats in Texas. Every single one - ALL 78 in the House and ALL 15 in the Senate - supported this bill. They have stuck together through this, and they deserve our thanks and recognition. Also, Gov. Perry and Lt. Gov. Ratliff deserve our thanks. While neither were advocates of the Act, in the end, both put aside partisan politics and did the right thing for our state. So, if you have time, write them and thank them. Locally, Sens. David Cain (D-Dallas), Royce West (D-Dallas), Mike Moncrief (D-Fort Worth), and Chris Harris (R-Arlington) voted for the bill. Sens. Florence Shapiro (R-Plano), Jane Nelson (R-Flower Mound, and John Carona (R-Dallas) opposed the bill. Thank Sen. Harris for his support, and write the Republicans that opposed the bill, and tell them what you think...
Anyway, THANKS EVERYONE! This is a great victory for Texas.
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I've invested much time in supporting the James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Act. The bill, named after hate crime victim, James Byrd Jr., would increase penalties for crimes motivated by prejudice based on gender, race, ethnicity and sexual orientation. I marched in the March Against Hate on March 18th, lobbied on March 19th and I've written letters to my state Senator, Florence Shapiro, my state Representative, Brian McCall, Lt. Gov. Bill Ratliff and Gov. Rick Perry. I urge all of you to write letters of support to your senators and representatives, but especially those who are in Florence Shapiro (North Dallas and Plano), John Carona (Most of East Dallas and Eastern Suburbs)or Jane Nelson (Flower Mound and other northwest suburbs)'s Senate districts. All three are Republicans that are undecided on the issue. Please urge them to support the James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Act.
All Texas State Senator Addresses are of the format:
Senator ____________
Capitol Station
P.O. Box 12068
Austin, TX 78711
All Texas State House Addresses are of the format:
Representative ____________
Capitol Station
P.O. Box 2910
Austin, TX 78768
Sample letter:
Dear Senator ________,
As your constituent in ________, I am writing in
regard to the James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Act. I urge
you to support this act because it would assist in
preventing crimes meant to terrorize groups of people
because of who they are. The legislature must do all
it can to end these horrible crimes against Texans.
The act does not create special rights, but rather
will protect people of all races, sexual orientations,
religions and ethnicities. I would appreciate hearing
from you on how you intend to vote for the Hate Crimes
Act.
Sincerely,
__________
Sen. Shapiro: (512) 463-0108
Sen. Carona: (512) 463-0116
What to say...
"Hi, my name is ______________ and I live in ___________. I am calling to urge Sen. Shapiro/Carona to support the James Byrd Jr. Hate
Crimes Act.... Thank you."
Here's a copy of the letter that I sent to Florence Shapiro:
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Dear Senator Florence Shapiro,
cc: Governor Rick Perry, Lieutenant Governor Bill Ratliff, Rep. Brian McCall.
As a constituent of yours in north Dallas, I wanted to follow up upon my visit to your office at the capitol with a letter urging you to support the James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Act.
Unfortunately, I was unable to meet you, however, I hope that your aide passed along my strong desire to see the Hate Crimes bill be passed. I am a senior in high school at St. Mark�s School of Texas, and I was proud to be able to vote for the first time last November. Recently I have become interested in politics, and having studied the issues, I see the James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Act as something that Texas desperately needs.
When someone is attacked simply because of their race, their religion or their sexual orientation, it not only is an attack against that individual, but rather, it is an attack against an entire community. Yes, Texas does have a Hate Crimes law, but prosecutors across the state have said that it is extremely vague to the point that it is unconstitutional. The James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Act would give the current law "teeth" that prosecutors can use to get tough on Hate Crimes. Some argue that this would violate equal protection laws on the books. That argument is hypocritical at best � racist and homophobic at worst. We have laws on the book that give special protections to law enforcement officers, legislators, people with disabilities, children, women that are pregnant, etc. Why can we not have special laws protecting against hate? A Hate Crimes law won�t give gays, blacks and other minorities "special rights". The law is worded so that it protects all citizens against hate: Blacks, Hispanics, Asians and Whites, gays and straights, as well as members of all religions.
The House of Representatives has spoken. They passed this bill last session with bipartisan support. I urge that the Senate do the same. I would appreciate it if you would contact me informing me how you intend to vote once you have made your decision.
Thanks for your time.
