Subject: LA-NEWS: Hate Crimes Bill
From: <[email-masked]>
Date: Wed, 24 May 1995 13:56:49 -0400

LOUISIANA ELECTORATE of GAYS AND LESBIANS (LEGAL)
PO Box 70344
New Orleans, LA 70172
(504) 383-8033 during legislative session
(504) 525-7117 all other times
Brian J.P. Hartig
Statewide Dir, LEGAL

Attention!
Senate Bill 980 -- the Hate Crimes Bill -- passed successfully off of the
Senate floor (21-15) on Wednesday, 18 May. On Tuesday, 30 May, the bill goes
to the House for a vote in the Administration of Criminal Justice Committee.
Your calls and letters are needed.

The Hate Crimes Bill allows for a judge to enhance the penalties levied upon
an individual convicted of a hate-motivated crime. Thirty-five states have
already adopted laws similar to SB 980.

******************************************************************************

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP

Call or write your representative if he or she is on the House Administration
of Criminal Justice Committee. Ask him or her to vote YES on SB 980. If you
know anyone who lives within any committee members' district, call them and
ask them to call their representative about the Hate Crimes Bill.

******************************************************************************

To call a representative if his or her line is busy -- 504-342-6945.

******************************************************************************

House Administration of Criminal Justice Committee

CHAIRMAN:
Rep. Raymond "Lala" Lalonde-D
PO Drawer 70
Carencro, LA 70520-0070
Leg: 800-259-8087 or 318-262-5712
Bus: 318-896-8087
Fax: 318-262-5110

VICE-CHAIRMAN:
Rep. Donald Ray Kennard-R
PO Box 44273
Baton Rouge, LA 70804
Bus: 504-342-9009
Res: 504-261-2030
Fax: 504-342-9010

MEMBERS:
Rep. Buster Guzzardo-D
PO Box 280
Independence, LA 70443
Leg: 504-342-8328
Bus: 504-878-6377
Res: 504-878-2458
Fax: 504-925-6377

Rep. Alex Heaton-D
3323 S. Carrollton Ave
New Orleans, LA 70118
Bus: 504-468-6171 or 504-483-4415
Res: 504-488-4424
Fax: 504-861-3087

Rep. Audrey McCain-D
58045 Meriam St
Plaquemine, LA 70764
Leg: 504-687-2225
Bus: 504-687-8616
Fax: 504-687-0754

Rep. Roy Quezaire-D
PO Drawer 269
Donaldsonville, LA 70346
Leg: 800-259-2024
Bus: 504-675-6551
Res: 504-473-4937
Fax: 504-473-1498

Rep. Michael Russo-D
3630 LA Highway 78
Livonia, LA 70755
Leg: 504-342-9787 or 800-637-3859
Res: 504-637-3296
Fax: 504-637-2984

Rep. Gerald Theunissen, D-Jennings
PO Box 287
Jennings, LA 70546-0287
Leg: 800-259-0376 or 318-824-0376
Res: 318-824-1153
Fax: 318-824-4784

Rep. Steve Windhorst, R-Terrytown
148-C Wall Blvd
Terrytown, LA 70056
Bus: 504-394-8000
Res: 504-367-3637
Fax: 504-361-6688

******************************************************************************

A sample letter:

Dear Representative _________________,
I am writing to you today to ask you to support SB 980, Sen. Johnson's Hate
Crimes Bill.
The Hate Crime is a divisive tool used by individuals to tear at the very
fabric of society. When a Hate Crime is committed, it is done so in an effort
to malign not just the individual who is assaulted but the entire community
he or she represents. The Hate Crime is designed to send a clear message to
this community that their presence is not wanted and that their existence is
not valued or desired.
Thirty-five other states have already adopted Hate Crimes measures similar to
this one into law. President Bush signed the Hate Crimes Statistics Act
several years ago because this problem has become a growing trend in America.
People who select their victims based upon Hate -- whether those victims be
Jewish, Catholic, Baptist, gay, straight, white, black -- need to be shown
that their divisiveness will not be tolerated and that they will suffer for
their crimes.
Please support SB 980 (The Hate Crimes Bill) by Sen. Johnson. Send a message
to those who would commit Hate Crimes in this state that they will not be
tolerated in Louisiana any longer.
                                                        Signed,

******************************************************************************
end