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OCR Page 1 of 89THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
May 19, 1997
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT
FROM:
RICHARD SOCARIDES
THROUGH:
SYLVIA MATHEWS
MARIA ECHAVESTE
548
RE:
Proposed White House Conference on Hate Crimes
I.
SUMMARY
This memorandum provides background information relating to hate crimes in America
and proposes that you authorize the convening of a White House conference on hate crimes to be
held in the fall of 1997. This memorandum also sets forth the goals, structure, timing, staffing
and funding for such a conference.
This conference would be part of our overall unity plan, because it addresses hate crimes
against all people. Also, it would fit into our race initiative, because it will include racially-
motivated hates crimes.
II.
BACKGROUND
Hate Crimes are a serious problem in America. Statistics collected by the Federal Bureau
of Investigation suggest that over 8,000 hate crimes occur each year, and it is clear that these
statistics greatly understate the problem. Despite federal legislation designed to establish the
incidence of hate crimes, uneven and under reporting by law enforcement agencies around the
country make the actual situation very unclear. Recent media attention paid to some high profile
incidents of hate related violence have helped to focus national attention on the problem.
In January, the Executive Committee of the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights
("LCCR") met with senior White House staff. At the meeting, LCCR presented its recent report
on hate crimes in America. The report recommends, among other things, that the Administration
take steps to help educate the public as to the magnitude of the problem and look for possible
solutions.