US Senate passes Matthew Shepard hates crimes bill, President Obama expected to sign into law

At last.

I look at the young and beautiful face of Matthew Shepard, murdered in an anti-gay hate crime 11 years ago, and I still want to cry for what was lost, and why.

But he had a mom, Judy Shepard, determined to find meaning in the death of her 21-year-old son and earlier today, she finally got it with the United States Senate’s passage of  the “Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act”  which allows for added charges and harsher jail sentences for those convicted of what is deemed to be a hate crime, a crime against somebody’s race, religion, sexual orientation or gender identity. It also means the federal government could step in to prosecute in states that request it or in those who choose not to prosecute.

“Dennis and I are extremely proud of the Senate for once again passing this historic measure of protection for victims of these brutal crimes,” Judy Shepard (pictured with President Barack Obama) said in a statement just posted on the Matthew Shepard Foundation’s web site. “Knowing that the president will sign it, unlike his predecessor, has made all the hard work this year to pass it worthwhile. Hate crimes continue to affect far too many Americans who are simply trying to live their lives honestly, and they need to know that their government will protect them from violence, and provide appropriate justice for victims and their families.”

President Obama has made clear he intends to sign the bill into law.

The final vote was passed 68 to 29 and was part of a larger Defense Department funding bill.