The U.S. House gave final approval today to the federal hate crimes legislation. Congresswoman Kathy Castor co-sponsored a similar bill in the House. The legislation ensures that hate crimes based on sexual orientation are treated the same way as hate crimes committed on the basis of race, religion and national origin. In addition, under existing federal law, federal jurisdiction over hate crimes is limited to when victims are targeted because they are participating in federally protected activities, such as voting. Today’s bill, however, covers all violent crimes that cause or attempt to cause bodily injury or death. 

The bill provides resources to state and local law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute hate crimes.

“Hate crimes are a purposeful, violent and dangerous manifestation of prejudice,” Castor said. “Hate crimes are not only a problem for victims but also our community and neighborhoods. Unfortunately, the Tampa Bay area has not been immune.”

Tampa leads the state of Florida in the number of reported hate crimes, according to the FBI. Tampa Police has a zero-tolerance policy on hate crimes, meaning all possible and borderline hate crimes are reported. According to the Florida Attorney General’s office, 193 hate crimes were committed in the state in 2007, including 103 based on race and 28 based on sexual orientation.

In recent years, a Polk County man was stabbed to death because he was gay. In Pinellas County, teens were charged with spray-painting anti-Semitic and racial slurs on nine portable classrooms at Palm Harbor High School. In Hillsborough County, the Islamic Education Center of Florida was set on fire.

“We cannot tolerate these crimes any longer,” said Castor, who has been a strong supporter of similar legislation since she took office. “Hate crimes have no place in my community or anywhere else.”