FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	CR

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1998                                                                             (202) 616-2777

                                                                                                                                           TDD (202) 514-1888




STATEMENT OF ACTING ASSISTANT ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR CIVIL RIGHTS











	WASHINGTON, D.C. -- "The indictment in this case marks an
important step in our nation's ongoing efforts to root out
violence and bigotry.  The charges in this case strike at the
core of what it means to live in America.  What is perhaps most
disturbing are the allegations that Hispanic children were a
target of a cowardly attack, simply because of the color of their
skin. Our constitution and laws protect the rights of all people
to go about their daily lives free from intimidation and racial
assaults.  




	"This indictment demonstrates the commitment of all law
enforcement in Idaho--federal, state, and local--to ensure that
those who use hatred and violence in an attempt to divide our
communities will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
This indictment is the product of an extensive investigation that
was marked by extraordinary cooperation between federal and local
law enforcement.




	"The people of Canyon County can take pride and comfort in
the professionalism and cooperative spirit of the FBI, the Nampa
Police Department, the Canyon County Prosecuting Attorney's
office, the U.S. Attorney's office, and the Civil Rights Division
of the U.S. Department of Justice.




	"I would like to specifically recognize the extraordinary
efforts of Ed Hofkins of the Nampa Police Department, FBI Agent
Ted Chester, John Bujak of the Canyon County Prosecutor's office,
Assistant United States Attorney Wendy Olson, and Jerry Hogan of
the Civil Rights Division. You have set the standard of
excellence in law enforcement.




	"Hate crimes reflect a cancer of the soul and have no place
in our society. Combating hate crimes is one of the highest
priorities of this Administration.  Last year, the President
convened a White House summit on Hate Crimes, which brought
together federal, state and local law enforcement officials,
community leaders, and victims of hate crimes themselves, in an
effort to gain a better understanding of the problem, and to
formulate an effective plan of action to attack this festering
sore.




	"The Attorney General recently launched a Justice Department
initiative to fight hate crimes throughout the country.  
Regional task forces in U.S. attorney's offices have been set up
to ensure that we are putting our best foot forward in combating
hate crimes.




	"The cooperative efforts of all law enforcement officials in
this case embody the spirit of the Attorney General's hate crimes
initiative.  There is considerable work that remains in this
case.  However, the indictment in this case demonstrates our
commitment to ensuring that equal justice under law truly means
equal justice for all."




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98-059(A)