Kennedy praises hate crimes bill

Senator Edward M. Kennedy lauded the Senate for endorsing a bill that he has championed for more than a decade to expand federal hate-crimes laws to protect people attacked because of their sexual orientation or gender.

The bill, named for Matthew Shepard, a gay Wyoming college student who was murdered in 1998, was attached to a defense spending measure expected to pass next week. The House approved a similar hate crimes bill in April and President Obama supports it.

The "action by the Senate finally closes the flagrant loopholes that for too long have prevented effective prosecution of these shocking crimes that terrorize entire groups of communities across America," Kennedy said in a statement. "The Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act gives federal, state, and local law enforcement authorities the power they need to combat these brutal acts of domestic terrorism.

"This legislation would not have been possible without the tireless advocacy of Matthew’s mother, Judy Shepard, and I commend her for her achievement. The rule of law is stronger in America today because of her."