ATLANTA – State Representative Karen Bennett (D-Stone Mountain), chair of the Georgia Legislative Black Caucus (GLBC), today issued the following statement on the final passage of House Bill 426, hate crimes legislation, on Tuesday, June 23, 2020:
“As a caucus, we are overjoyed to have this victory, especially on the day Mr. Rayshard Brooks was laid to rest. On June 23, we let the world know Georgia will not tolerate hatred and violence.
“There are so many people who played a role in securing passage of House Bill 426, but there are a few who were instrumental. We must acknowledge House Judiciary Non-Civil Committee Chairman Chuck Efstration (R-Dacula) and Dean of the Georgia House of Representatives Calvin Smyre (D-Columbus), along with House Minority Caucus Whip William Boddie (D-East Point) and Speaker David Ralston (R-Blue Ridge) for never abandoning hope to pass this bill.
“We also appreciate the hard work and leadership offered by Lieutenant Governor Geoff Duncan, Senate Minority Leader Steve Henson (D-Stone Mountain), and of course Senate Minority Caucus Whip Harold Jones (D-Augusta). They, along with the entire GLBC and both House and Senate Minority Caucuses, were critical to our overall success.
“Our allies were pivotal as well. We thank the AME Church, Georgia NAACP, Urban League for Greater Atlanta, American Civil Liberties Union, Anti-Defamation League, Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce and the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, as well as countless other organizations and people who advocated on behalf of passing this bill. As a caucus, we applaud your commitment to a better Georgia.
“This bill would protect communities who historically have been targeted because of their race, sexual orientation, religion or gender. It would provide enhanced sentencing for both felonies and misdemeanors. And, it would require data collection to better assess where hate crimes are occurring, so we as a state, can take appropriate actions to address it.
“This is the type of legislation Georgia can be proud of. It embodies who we are and who we aspire to be: ‘One Georgia.’ I encourage the governor to sign this bill immediately.
“Although hate crimes legislation is on the verge of becoming law, we know there is more work to be done on improving our criminal justice system. We look forward to crafting strong, sensible policy with our law enforcement partners to ensure all Georgians feel safe, secure and protected.”
For more information on House Bill 426, please click here.
Established in 1975, the Georgia Legislative Black Caucus is a 501(c)3 non-profit, nonpartisan organization comprised of 65 Georgia House and Senate members.
For more information about the GLBC, please click here.
Representative Karen Bennett represents the citizens of Districts 94, which includes portions of DeKalb and Gwinnett counties. She was elected to the House of Representatives in 2012 and currently serves on the Code Revision, Economic Development & Tourism, Health & Human Services and Regulated Industries committees.
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