Feingold Introduces the End Racial Profiling Act of 2004 Three Years Later, the President’s Pledge to End Racial Profiling Remains Unfulfilled February 26, 2004 Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI) and Representative John Conyers (D-MI) today introduced the End Racial Profiling Act of 2004 in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, respectively. As the main sponsor of this legislation in the Senate, Feingold has joined with Conyers and others in the national effort to end racial profiling. Racial profiling is the practice of relying on race, ethnicity, national origin, or religion in selecting which individuals to subject to traffic stops, pedestrian stops, or other routine investigatory activities. "Three years ago, in his first address to a joint session of Congress, President Bush declared that racial profiling is wrong and pledged to end it in America. He then directed his Attorney General to implement this policy," Feingold said. "It is now three years later, and the American people are still waiting for the President to follow through on his pledge to end racial profiling." This legislation bans racial profiling and requires federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to take steps to eliminate the practice. It authorizes the Attorney General to provide incentive grants to assist agencies with complying with this Act and conditions federal funds to state and local law enforcement agencies on their compliance with such requirements. "The End Racial Profiling Act is good for law enforcement and good for America. The vast majority of law enforcement agents nationwide discharge their duties professionally and without bias. I'm very pleased that so many state and local law enforcement officials stand with me in condemning racial profiling. We agree that racial profiling is wrong and should not take place in America," Feingold said. "This bill will help to restore the trust and confidence of the communities our law enforcement have pledged to serve and protect. That confidence is crucial to our success in stopping crime, and in stopping terrorism."

# # #