''I am extremely pleased to mark the passage of the historic Hate Crimes Prevention Act within the National Defense Authorization Act. It is remarkable that, at this late date, hate crimes legislation should remain a controversial idea. The idea that someone could be singled out for a crime of violence due to his or her actual or perceived race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability is simply repugnant. Hate crimes are real, and they are all too frequent. This hate crimes legislation will protect all Americans from the scourge of violent hate crime.''

Press release from the office of Jerold Nadler, D-NY, on the passage of ''Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act<''/strong>, 281 in favor and 146 against. The bill has been attached to a military spending bill, which several top Republicans are grousing about. (Jerrold Nadler)