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Managing America: Civil Rights

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Week Ending July 27, 2007

H.RES.535 Commending David Ray Ritcheson, a survivor of one of the most horrific hate crimes in the history of Texas, and recognizing his efforts in promoting Federal legislation to combat hate crimes.

David Ray Ritcheson, a 16 year-old Mexican-American student and athlete at Klein Collins high school in Houston, TX was assaulted while attending a part in Spring, TX, the preamble explains, resulting in a three month hospital stay.

Ritcheson required 30 surgeries to restore his appearance and regain normal use of his bodily functions. The ordeal he went through and the assault was the result of a hate crime.

Ritcheson later testified to a congressional committee about his ordeal. He recently died at age 18.

The preamble continues on to explain the impact that such crimes have on individuals and communities. The resolution mourns his passing.

More resolution below….

Sponsor:  Rep. Sheila Jackson-Lee (D-TX-18^th)

Vote: Passed House by voice vote July 23, 2007

Cost to the taxpayers: No discernible cost

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MORE INFORMATION

Whereas David Ray Ritcheson, a Mexican-American, was a friendly and cheerful student at Klein Collins High School in the Houston suburb of Spring, Texas, and a popular and talented football athlete who was loved and admired by his family and friends;

Whereas on April 23, 2006, at the age of 16, David Ray Ritcheson was severely assaulted while attending a party in Spring, Texas;

Whereas the former running back and freshman homecoming prince spent more than three months in the hospital as a result of the injuries he suffered in the assault and endured more than 30 surgeries to restore his appearance and regain the normal use of his bodily functions;

Whereas no human being deserves to be tortured and victimized like David Ray Ritcheson simply because he is of a different background, race, religion, ethnic group, or sexual orientation;

Whereas of all crimes, hate crimes are most likely to create or exacerbate tensions that can trigger larger community-wide racial conflict, civil disturbances, and riots in communities at-risk of serious social and economic consequences;

Whereas hate-motivated violence disrupts the tranquility and safety of communities, impedes the movement of members of targeted groups, and prevents members of targeted groups from purchasing goods and services, obtaining or sustaining employment, and fulfilling the American Dream;

Whereas the courageous, eloquent, and compelling testimony of David Ray Ritcheson before a committee of the House of Representatives brought into vivid relief the human face of victims of hate crimes and the terrible suffering that such crimes inflict on victims and their families, friends, and communities;

Whereas David Ray Ritcheson, in his testimony, emphasized that he was a survivor who urged the Federal Government to take the lead in deterring individuals like those who attacked him from committing violent crimes against others because of where they are from, the color of their skin, the God they worship, the person they love, or the way they look, talk, or act;

Whereas David Ray Ritcheson's powerful testimony helped inspire the House of Representatives to pass the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2007 (H.R. 1592 of the 110th Congress), which incorporates key provisions of the David Ray Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2007 (H.R. 254 of the 110th Congress);

Whereas David Ray Ritcheson vowed to do whatever he could to help make the United States a hate-free place in which to live;

Whereas the courage displayed by David Ray Ritcheson is an inspiration to all Americans and reinforces the message that acts of bigotry and hate are unacceptable in the United States; and

Whereas, on July 1, 2007, David Ray Ritcheson died at the age of 18: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the House of Representatives mourns the passing of David Ray Ritcheson and commends him for his activism in contributing and raising awareness toward the eradication and elimination of hate crimes in the United States.

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