UCC Issues Statement on Hate Crimes Bill

March 8, 2021

The Honorable Chris Murphy
Chairman, South Carolina House Judiciary Committee
512 Blatt Building
Columbia, SC 29201

Dear Chairman Murphy,

Thank you for scheduling a hearing on the Hate Crimes bill. This is a significant agenda item for the Upstate Chamber Coalition and we hope you can advance this legislation to the floor of the House of Representatives as quickly as possible.

The work of the Equitable Justice System and Law Enforcement Reform Committee was a worthy effort last year, and we believe the House Judiciary Committee should take swift action on their recommendations.

Our state must prioritize dialogue on matters that will make life better for all our residents to drive economic prosperity for our state. To do that, we must bring about real and lasting change so our communities can be safe, thriving, and equitable. Being one of three states that does not have a hate crimes statute, we feel it is only time before our neighboring states use this against our state for economic development projects, as Greenville Chamber President and CEO Carlos Phillips testified to the committee on our behalf back in August.

Our state’s success with criminal justice reform in 2010 shows that forward-thinking policy making can deliver results for our state. We applaud you for those reforms, but we feel the work is not complete. Now is the time to move the Hate Crimes legislation forward and we look forward to continuing to lead and engage in these conversations and assisting you in implementing long-overdue solutions.

Sincerely,

Carlos Phillips
President & CEO
Greenville Chamber

Allen Smith, IOM, CCE
President & CEO
OneSpartanburg, Inc.

Pamela Christopher, IOM, CCE, CCEC
President & CEO
Anderson Area Chamber of Commerce

David Merhib, IOM
President & CEO
Greater Greer Chamber of Commerce

Barbara Ann Heegan
President & CEO
Greenwood SC Chamber of Commerce

Amanda Munyan
President & CEO
Laurens County Chamber of Commerce

Cindy Hopkins
President
Greater Easley Chamber of Commerce

Brittney Kessler
Chamber Administrator
Oconee County Chamber of Commerce

Sandra Stroud
President
Greater Travelers Rest Chamber of Commerce

Allison McGarity
President & CEO
Simpsonville Area Chamber of Commerce

Susan Cohen
President & CEO
Clemson Area Chamber of Commerce