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Hate Crimes Law To Get Presidential Signature

10/27/09-by Bridgette P. LaVictoire
The White House announced today that President Obama would hold two White House signing ceremonies tomorrow for the FY 10 defense authorization bill.

After a signing ceremony for the $680 billion defense-spending bill in the White House Rose Garden, the President will host a second event on a new law attached to the defense bill, the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act.

That act will make it a federal crime to assault a person because of his or her sexual orientation, disability or gender identity and is named for Matthew Shepard, a gay teenager from Wyoming who was tied to a fence and beaten to death and James Byrd. Jr., a black man from Texas who was tied to a pick-up track and dragged to death.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates and members of Congress will attend the actual defense bill signing ceremony, the later tomorrow evening the President will host a reception to commemorate the enactment of the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act.

Obama is also scheduled to deliver brief remarks around 6:05 PM, and will be joined by Attorney General Eric Holder, civil rights community leaders and others.