Every American child deserves the strongest protections from some of this country's most horrifying crimes.

Hate language in the school hallways is huge. These students are too often the target of name-calling, violence and worse.

The next time you use words like these, think about what they really mean.

When you call someone a 'fag,' it identifies them with a group, a group that in today's climate is open to harassment. So by calling someone a 'fag,' you are giving yourself and the people around you the license to either damage this individual verbally or physically.

If even one family can avoid getting that phone call, in the middle of the night, because of this legislation, it would be well worth it.

Last week you said in the debate that you opposed the Kennedy hate crime bill,