THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK
OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS
CITY HALL
NEW YORK, NY 10007
Release # 071-2009

Statement by Christine C. Quinn
Re: U.S. Senate Passes Matthew Shepard Act

 “Today’s the United States Senate voted to pass the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act.  The bill, which extends federal authority for investigation and prosecution of hate violence to crimes based on the victim's actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or disability, passed the House of Representatives by a wide margin in April. We applaud the Senate and the leadership shown on this issue by New York Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand.  

"The overwhelming support for this bill in the Senate sends a clear message that we, as Americans, will no longer stand for anyone who perpetrates a hate crime against an LGBT person.  Nothing can ever return Matthew to his friends or family, but I hope that passage of this legislation will bring them some comfort in knowing that we will not accept hate.”