News

House Unanimously Condemns Shepard Murder

By Darlene Superville, The Associated Press

October 15, 1998

(AP, WASHINGTON) – The House pledged Thursday to fight prejudice and intolerance as it voiced outrage over the beating death of a gay University of Wyoming student.

"We cannot lie down, we cannot bury our heads and we cannot sit on our hands," said Rep. Barbara Cubin, R-Wyo., sponsor of a resolution that passed by voice vote.

"We will not stand for the arbitrary killing of other people due to any hateful act of intolerance," added Cubin, whose two sons knew the 21-year-old victim.

Matthew Shepard died Monday at a Colorado hospital, five days after being found pistol-whipped and tied to a fence post in near-freezing temperatures outside Laramie, Wyo.

Rep. Diana DeGette, D-Colo., a co-sponsor, said protection is needed for gays and lesbians who live their daily lives in fear of being violently attacked or killed.

"Matthew Shepard's murder proves their fear is not unjustified," she said.