Chicago, IL, May 31, 2006 ... The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) praised today's decision by the U.S. 7th Circuit Court of Appeals to uphold the conviction and 40-year sentence of white supremacist Matthew Hale for soliciting the murder of Federal Judge Joan Lefkow.

"With the appeals court's decision, Matt Hale's public career as a racist who inspires others to commit hate-driven crimes goes out with a whimper," said Lonnie Nasatir, regional director of ADL's Greater Chicago/Upper Midwest office. Hale was convicted in April 2004 of soliciting Judge Lefkow's murder following her order that Hale's World Church of the Creator stop using that name. Hale's group had lost a copyright suit to an Oregon religious organization.

Mr. Nasatir said that the appeals court's decision comes at a welcome time.

"We are seeing a resurgence of racist skinhead activity and white supremacists exploiting the immigration issue to recruit new followers and spread their message," said Mr. Nasatir. "This decision serves as a strong reminder to those bigots that, if hate blinds them to the law, the justice system will punish them to the fullest extent possible."

The Anti-Defamation League, founded in 1913, is the world's leading organization fighting anti-Semitism through programs and services that counteract hatred, prejudice and bigotry.