Congressman Cohen speaks up on Civil Rights and Hate Crimes Bill

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Last June the 6th, I voted for a Hate Crimes Bill in this session and was proud to do it. Since that time, the Black Ministers Association in my city has come out strongly against the Hate Crimes Bill that provides protection of people from violent crimes.

I addressed that group in Memphis, Tuesday a week ago and at that meeting one of the ministers got up and said to the press that the reason we're against this bill, basically, is because a white man can't represent black people.

I represent a black district. I am one of only two white members that do. I plan to represent the people of my district as I have and show this country from my district in Memphis, Tennessee, that regardless of race, color, a person should be judged by the content of their character and not the color of their skin and they can represent people in this country for this is indeed one country under God with liberty and justice for all.