Date: Fri, 19 Jan 1996 15:15:41 -0500 From: Virginians For Justice Subject: VJ Alert - Leg. Update A NOTE TO INTERNET USERS: Due to budgetary constraints and the need for quick action, we are relying almost entirely on our email list to disseminate this information, so any help in getting the word out is greatly appreciated. ----------------------------------------- January 20, 1996 Virginians for Justice ****** Action Alert Hate Crimes Bill Update: Support Needed A record number of cosponsors, have signed on to House Bill 234, legislation to add "sexual orientation" and "gender" to Virginia's existing laws that allow penalty enhancement for crimes motivated by hatred. Delegate James Almand (D-Arlington) is the primary sponsor, with 18 other legislators as co-patrons: House of Delegates NAME Party/City District Plum Kenneth R. D-Reston 36 Hull Robert D. D-Falls Church 38 Watts Vivian E. D-Annandale 39 Dillard II James H. R-Fairfax 41 Puller Linda T. D-Alexandria 44 Van Landingham Marian A. D-Alexandria 45 Moran Brian J. D-Alexandria 46 Almand James F. D-Arlington 47 Connally Julia A. D-Arlington 48 Darner L. Karen D-Arlington 49 Van Yahres Mitchell D-Charlottesville 57 Cunningham Jean W. D-Richmond 71 Melvin Kenneth R. D-Portsmouth 80 Jones Jerrauld C. D-Norfolk 89 Senate NAME Party/City District Lambert III Benjamin J. D-Richmond 9 Couric Emily D-Charlottesville 25 Ticer Patricia S. D-Alexandria 30 Whipple Mary Margaret D-Arlington 31 Howell Janet D. D-Reston 32 VJ lobbyists David Perry and Campbell Spencer were also able to secure the bill's first Republican co- sponsor, Delegate James Dillard of Fairfax. Nine legislators, all Democrats, signed on to a similar bill last year. According to Virginians for Justice legislative coordinator Patrick Heck, "Due to the work of local organizations and our persistent presence in the General Assembly, many legislators' willingness to be proactively supportive of equal justice is improving by leaps and bounds each year. Our job now is to quickly develop a ground swell of constituent phone calls from concerned Virginians of every sexual orientation and gender." **REQUESTED ACTION** Contact your DELEGATE immediately to ask for their support of HB234. Although all Delegates should be contacted by their constituents, it is especially important to gain more Republican support. Please spread the word to Virginians across the Commonwealth! You may call your Delegate directly in Richmond, or call 1-800-889-0229 to register your support of HB234. If you do not know who your Delegate is, the operators can tell you or call your local voter registrar or Virginians for Justice (804-643-4816). The legislators listed on BELOW are members of the House Courts of Justice Committee. These Delegates need an extra push by their constituents, unless they are already co-sponsors. *** SPECIAL ACTION FOR ROANOKE AREA RESIDENTS *** Delegate Richard Cranwell, the House Majority Leader, is seen as a crucial vote. He has obstructed this bill in the past, so if you know anyone who may live in his district (Craig County and portions of Roanoke, Botetourt and Bedord Counties), please make a special effort to spread the word to them. House of Delegates Courts of Justice Committee Name Party/City Richmond # Dist. # Johnson, Jr Joseph P. D-Abingdon 804-786-6685 4 Baker, Jr. Thomas G. R-Dublin 804-786-6605 7 Reynolds W. Roscoe D-Martinsville 804-786-7205 10 Armstrong Ward L. D-Martinsville 804-786-6817 11 Cranwell C. Richard D-Vinton 804-786-6891 14 Deeds R. Creigh D-Millboro 804-786-6606 18 Howell William J. R-Falmouth 804-786-6997 28 Davies III John J. D-Culpeper 804-786-7102 30 Mims William C. R-Sterling 804-786-7207 32 *Watts Vivian E. D-Annandale 804-786-6707 39 *Moran Brian J. D-Alexandria 804-786-7253 46 *Almand James F. D-Arlington 804-786-6893 47 Brickley David G. D-Woodbridge 804-786-6994 51 Bennett, Jr. W. W. D-Halifax 804-786-6805 60 McClure Roger J. R-Centreville 804-786-6996 67 Cantor Eric I. R-Glen Allen 804-786-6503 73 McEachin A. Donald D-Richmond 804-786-6906 74 Forbes J. Randy R-Chesapeake 804-786-7252 78 Moore, Jr. William S. D-Portsmouth 804-786-6889 79 *Melvin Kenneth R. D-Portsmouth 804-786-6888 80 McDonnell Robert F. R-VA Beach 804-786-7105 84 *Jones Jerrauld C. D-Norfolk 804-786-7188 89 *HB234 cosponsor -------------------- Virginians for Justice advances equal justice for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender citizens of the Commonwealth of Virginia, and those affected by the HIV epidemic, through the state's legislative, administrative and judicial systems.