SENATE RESOLUTION

                         1997-8641

By Senators Prince, Kline, Horn, Winsley, Wood, Long, Finkbeiner, Hale, Newhouse, Goings, Sellar, Brown, Kohl, Spanel, Heavey, Thibaudeau and Swecker

     WHEREAS, The Legislature finds that acts of violence, particularly those motivated by hate and intolerance, directed against groups or individuals because of their race, religion, sexual orientation, gender, ethnicity, or other beliefs are increasing; and

     WHEREAS, Hate crimes are usually accompanied by physical injury, property damage, and emotional trauma and pose a substantial threat to the safety, health, and welfare of the citizens of the state of Washington; and

     WHEREAS, Victims of hate crimes often experience feelings of anger, fear, resentment, isolation, and depression; and

     WHEREAS, Hate crimes generate fear that in turn victimizes an entire class of people by reason of being a member of a particular group; and

     WHEREAS, Hate crimes seriously contravene fundamental values and therefore are harmful to all people of the state; and

     WHEREAS, The state of Washington was founded on principles of religious freedom and personal liberty;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Senate of the state of Washington denounce hate crimes and all forms of intolerance based on ethnicity, religion, race, gender, or sexual orientation.