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New York's GOP Governor
Hails Hate Crime Law's Passage

Pataki Says: 'I am looking Forward to Signing this Legislation'

Log Cabin: State Sets an Example to Republicans Nationwide

Compiled By GayToday

Albany, New York-- Governor George Pataki (R-NY) released a statement yesterday praising the Republican-controlled New York State Senate for its overwhelming passage of his hate crimes proposal. The State Senate had previously blocked the legislation for over a decade making New York, until now, the only northeastern state without such a law.

Gov. George Pataki

The New York State Assembly, however, is controlled by Democrats who have regularly passed a gay-inclusive hate crimes bill for eleven consecutive years.

The new Republican-backed legislation uses�for the first time in the history of New York State's laws �the words "sexual orientation" and "gay" and "lesbian."

Twenty-three states currently include the words "sexual orientation" in their existing anti-hate crime legislation.

"Assaulting a man or a woman because they are a member of a particular ethnic group or religious minority or because of their sexual orientation is an attack on all New Yorkers," Pataki said. "People who act on hate need to know their punishment will be swift, severe and just."

The Governor's bill, which would increase penalties for hate-motivated crimes, including anti-gay hate crimes was authored, sponsored and championed by Senator Roy Goodman (R-New York City), a strong supporter of the gay community.

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"Governor Pataki made this bill a top priority on his legislative agenda, and Senator Goodman led the fight for its passage," said James Wagstaff, president of Log Cabin Republicans of New York City.

"This is another example of the kind of strong, inclusive leadership of New York Republicans, who have set an example for our Party across the country."

Log Cabin Republicans began working with Governor Pataki, Senator Goodman and the GOP state leadership as early as 1995 to pass the hate crimes measure.

The effort was strongly supported in lobbying by Mayor Rudolph Giuliani (R) of New York City and Mayor Dan Stewart (R), the openly gay GOP Mayor of Plattsburgh.