Obama signs hate Crimes bill

The hate crimes measure was included in the national defense authorization act that President Obama signed into law on Wednesday. Doug Mills/The New York Times The hate crimes measure was included in the national defense authorization act that President Obama signed into law on Wednesday.

President Obama signed a hate crimes bill into law on Wednesday, telling an audience at the White House that the provision would “strengthen the protections against crimes based on the color of your skin, the faith in your heart, or the place of your birth.”

The law expands the definition of violent federal hate crimes to those committed because of a victim’s sexual orientation. Under existing federal law, hate crimes are defined as those motivated by the victim’s race, color, religion or national origin.

“Prosecutors will have new tools to work with states in order to prosecute to the fullest those who would perpetrate such crimes,” Mr. Obama said, speaking in the East Room of the White House at an evening reception, “Because no one in America should ever be afraid to walk down the street holding the hands of the person they love.”

The hate crimes measure was included in a defense spending bill, which Democratic leaders in Congress intentionally did in an effort to keep Republicans from blocking the legislation. The legislation had been under consideration in Congress for years. It was named in memory of Matthew Shepard, the gay Wyoming college student who was murdered 11 years ago.

“You understood that we must stand against crimes that are meant not only to break bones, but to break spirits — not only to inflict harm, but to instill fear,” Mr. Obama said. “You understand that the rights afforded every citizen under our Constitution mean nothing if we do not protect those rights — both from unjust laws and violent acts.”

The audience at the White House included Denis and Judy Shepard, the parents of Matthew, and the family of the late Senator Edward M. Kennedy, who championed the legislation for years, but died before the bill was ultimately passed.