"There is ample evidence that violent, bias motivated crimes are a widespread and serious problem in our nation. It is not the frequency or number of these crimes alone that distinguish these acts of violence from other types of crime; it is the impact these crimes have on the victims, their families, their communities and, in some instances, the nation. Evidence indicates that hate crimes are underreported; however, statistics show that since 1991 over 100,000 hate crime offenses have been reported to the FBI, with 7,624 reported in 2007, the FBI’s most recent reporting period."

"Violent crimes based on sexual orientation constituted 16.6 percent of all hate crimes in 2007, with 1,265 reported for the year. The National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs (NCAVP), a non-profit organization that tracks bias incidents against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people, reported 1,833 incidents for 2007 from only 14 jurisdictions, compared to the 2025 agencies reporting to the FBI in 2007."

"A December 2001 report by the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), a nonprofit organization that monitors hate groups and extremist activity in the United States, went so far as to say that the system for collecting hate crimes data in this nation is "in shambles." SPLC estimates that the real number of hate crimes being committed in the United States each year is likely closer to 50,000, as opposed to the nearly 8,000 reported by the FBI."

There is ample info and reports that urges such legislation to quickly and swiftly pass and be signed into law. Here are a few news reports with more evidence and call to action to support, vote and pass such hate crimes legislation.

----- http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iMOzzJsP-MVqKUTzifzW2AW8esFgD991S5K00

----- http://www.towleroad.com/2009/07/rep-filner-believes-seamans-murder-a-hate-crime.html

----- http://www.advocate.com/news_detail_ektid94973.asp

----- http://www.redding.com/news/2009/jul/02/victim-says-homophobia-still-a-major-problem-in/

PLEASE sign this petition and urge your Senators to support, co-sponsor and pass (S. 909), The Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act / Matthew Shepard Act.