CHEYENNE-More than 11 years after University of Wyoming student Matthew Shepard was tortured and left to die on a fence post outside Laramie, President Obama signed legislation Wednesday extending federal hate crime law to cover attacks based on sexual orientation.

Civil rights leaders, including Matthew's mother Judy Shepard, said the passage of the Matthew Shepard Hate Crime Prevention Act gives long-overdue protection to people attacked because of their sexual orientation.

However, Wyoming's congressional delegation have opposed the legislation, saying current state laws already work to punish those who commit violent acts against gays and lesbians.

The legislation gives federal authorities power to pursue charges in violent crimes motivated by the victim's sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability.

The bill has been in the works since 1998, when Matthew Shepard, a 21-year-old student from Casper, was robbed, tortured, and murdered by Russell Henderson and Aaron McKinney. Both are currently serving two consecutive life sentences in prison.

Judy Shepard, who watched President Obama sign the legislation Wednesday at the White House, said in a statement that she and her husband Dennis were glad to finally see the bill pass.

"When Dennis and I started calling 10 years ago for federal action to prevent and properly prosecute hate crimes against gay, lesbian and transgendered Americans, we never imagined it would take this long," Shepard said in the statement. "We are incredibly grateful to Congress and the president for taking this step forward on behalf of hate crime victims and their families, especially given the continuing attacks on people simply for living their lives openly and honestly.

Judy Shepard added, "But each of us can and must do much more to ensure true equality for all Americans."

Wyoming's congressional delegation, though, voted against the legislation.

U.S. Rep. Cynthia Lummis said in a statement that each state should have the right to create its own hate crime law.

"This amendment usurps states' rights - any state or local crime could be federalized if the possibility exists that the crime was motivated by hate," Lummis said in the statement. "I do not believe a new federal hate crime law is necessary for violent crimes that are already illegal and impose stiff criminal penalties. ...Like any other crime, despicable crimes motivated by hate or intolerance should be investigated, prosecuted and punished accordingly."