Washington- Congressman Joe Pitts (PA-16), Chairman of the House Values Action Team, issued the following statement today regarding H.R. 1913, the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009.

“From the beginning of our nation, we have criminalized actions, not thoughts or beliefs.  We all need to find a way to live peacefully together with our diverse views and beliefs, but criminalizing attitudes is a mistake that sets a dangerous precedent.

“It is flawed policy to carve out a protection in the law for just one segment of people. All people should be protected by law from violence, no matter who they are.

“This bill will violate the equal-protection set forth in our Constitution, and it infringes on religious freedom.  It could lead to the prosecution of religious leaders for expressing their sincerely held religious beliefs.”

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