Date: Thu, 2 Feb 1995 09:38:20 -0500 From: Virginians For Justice Subject: Calls Needed on HB2143 February 2, 1995 VJ Legislative Action Alert: February 2, 1995 Our voices are unheard! Constituent Pressure Still Needed SUBJECT: HB2143, Adding Sexual Orientation to Hate Crimes Law Del. Jim Almand's (D-Arlington) House Bill 2143, an amendment to Virginia's existing hate crimes law that would add hate crimes motivated by a victim's sexual orientation or gender, has yet to be brought up by the House of Delegates subcommittee to which it was assigned. We need to apply significant pressure to the Courts of Justice committee and its Criminal Law subcommittee. They may not even bother to take up this bill before the Tuesday, Feb. 7, deadline for the House to act on its legislation, unless they hear from us. ACTION: CALL IMMEDIATELY! If you live in one of the districts listed below, contact your House Courts of Justice committee member: Ask them to allow a fair hearing for HB2143 and to SUPPORT HB2143. All Virginians are encouraged to contact Del. Richard Cranwell, subcommittee chair (804-786-6891), or Del. Almand, committee chair (804-786-6893), asking them to use their influence to see that HB2143 clears subcommittee and committee. Last First District/City Phone (804-) Cranwell C. Richard 14-Vinton 786-6891 Woodrum Clifton A. 16-Roanoke 786-2898 Reynolds W. Roscoe 10-Reynolds 786-7205 Moore, Jr. William S. 79-Portsmouth 786-6889 Johnson, Jr. Joseph P. 4-Abingdon 786-6685 Baker, Jr. Thomas G. 7-Dublin 786-6605 Mims William C. 32-Leesburg 786-7207 Jones Jerrauld C. 89-Norfolk 786-7188 Melvin Kenneth R. 80-Portsmouth 786-6888 Almand James F. 47-Arlington 786-6893 Cohen Bernard S. 46-Alexandria 786-7253 Murphy, Jr. W. Tayloe 99-Warsaw 786-7303 Davies III John J. 30-Culpeper 786-7102 Mayer Alan E. 39-Lincolnia 786-6707 Brickley David G. 51-Woodbridge 786-6994 Copeland Howard E. 87-Norfolk 786-6710 Bennett, Jr. W. W. 60-Halifax 786-6805 Howell William J. 28-Fredericksbrg 786-6997 Forbes J. Randy 78-Chesapeake 786-7252 Cantor Eric I. 73-Richmond 786-6503 McClure Roger J. 67-Centreville 786-6996 McDonnell Robert F. 84-VA Beach 786-7105 You may also leave a message for your delegate by phoning 1-800-889-0229, but calling their office directly is most effective. The 1-800 staff can tell you who your legislators are. Please forward and post at will. For more information, contact Virginians for Justice va4justice@aol.com or 804-643-4816