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McCoy testifies as committee passes hate crimes bill on to full Senate

Monday, February 18, 2019

INDIANAPOLIS -- "We have many families of color that live in our community," DePauw University President D. Mark McCoy told an Indiana Senate committee Monday morning.

DePauw University President Mark McCoy testifies on the hate crimes bill before the Senate Public Policy Committee Monday.

Testifying before the Senate Public Policy Committee in support of a proposed specific hate crimes bill, President McCoy asked, "What does Indiana say to them when they refuse to pass a law that would provide a strong sense of safety and solid commitment to it?

"I ask you today to send them -- and all citizens of the world who look upon Indiana -- a message," McCoy continued. "In Indiana, we care about people, we will do what we can to make Indiana as welcoming as it can be, and we will classify hate crimes as something that will be called out, named and punished."

McCoy added that "such a message will make it possible for us to continue to bring outstanding faculty, staff and students around the world to Indiana."

The Senate committee heard from those who support and oppose Senate Bill 12. Other advocates for the legislation included representatives from Cummins, Eli Lilly and Co., the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the Indiana and Indianapolis Chambers of Commerce, Salesforce and the Indiana Pacers.

After hearing testimony in the Senate chambers, the committee passed the bill, 9-1, sending it on to the full Senate for consideration.

"I believe that Indiana has an opportunity at this moment to remove an unnecessary stain on its reputation and to show the world the truth about Hoosiers: that we are honest, hardworking, welcoming and inclusive," McCoy said. "As it stands, there is a misperception that Indiana, as one of five states without a hate crimes bill, does not care about the marginalized, the under-represented or those that are somehow different from 'us.'"

The bill would have to pass both the Senate and House before heading to Gov. Eric Holcomb, who has called passage of a hate crimes bill a "priority."

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    Mr. McCoy says: "What does Indiana say to them when they refuse to pass a law that would..."

    Please let me answer that for you, Mr. McCoy. It says that Indiana believes that ALL are equal under the law. It says that there are no special groups, special characteristics, and that one victim is not more victimized simply b/c of their special-group status.

    If A punches B, that is battery. Why would A get in more trouble for punching Q than punching B or W? Battery is battery, and is a crime regardless of who is on either side of the swing.

    -- Posted by dreadpirateroberts on Mon, Feb 18, 2019, at 1:55 PM
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    I guess I can finally breath easy... I mean, I think the hate crimes legislation will give me back a few hours of sleep each night but I won't have my full 8 until we get our statue of Don Lemon at the town square.

    Just imagine it: standing perched skyward atop the courthouse like a king's cap for his subjects to smile upon, the adornments of golden "WE STAND UNITED" pendants waving in a Putnam County breeze... The heavenly solar rays basking its platinum trims... The glistening aura would be almost too much to behold but would act as an unfettering and glorious beacon of social virtue we all endorse.

    This majestic testament would be the only way to convey the sense of unwavering fight we all have for the social injustices these citizens of Greencastle (and especially, those attending DePauw University) suffer from on an hourly basis.

    -- Posted by DouglasQuaid on Mon, Feb 18, 2019, at 6:19 PM

  • What is so hard to understand about the inscription chiseled over the entrance of the Supreme Court Building in Washington D.C.

    "Equal Justice Under Law"

    -- Posted by direstraits on Mon, Feb 18, 2019, at 9:32 PM
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