Editor:

Open letter to Rep. Cynthia Lummis:

"The human measure of a human life is its income; the divine measure of a life is its outgo, its overflow -- its contribution to the welfare of all."

-- William Jennings Bryan

The congresswoman said, "a federal hate crime law isn't necessary." Where is your humanity, congresswoman? Otherwise known as being humane, kindness, mercy and sympathy.

Matthew Shepard was a human being; it doesn't matter if he was black or white, or pink with purple polka dots. He was brutally murdered.

We need someone to represent Wyoming who has the welfare of all, not just the favored few. And yes, my father was a veteran of foreign wars, he fought in France and Germany in the first World War. My son is now serving in Iraq. They have and will always afford me and many others the right to voice our opinions.

LAURA B. MACFARLANE, Riverton