[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 52 (Tuesday, April 24, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3832-S3833]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT ACT OF 2001

  Mr. SMITH of Oregon. Mr. President, I rise today to speak about hate 
crimes legislation I introduced with Senator Kennedy last month. The 
Local Law Enforcement Act of 2001 would add new categories to current 
hate crimes legislation sending a signal that violence of any kind is 
unacceptable in our society.
  I would like to detail a heinous crime that occurred in my own home 
State of Oregon in 1995. A twenty-seven year old Stockton, California 
man murdered a Medford, OR couple, Roxanne Ellis, 53 and Michelle 
Abdill, 42. The women, who ran a property management business, 
disappeared December 4, 1995

[[Page S3833]]

after showing the man an apartment for rent. He shot them both in the 
head, and the bodies were left bound and gagged in a truck bed. The 
Stockton man later confessed, saying he targeted the women because they 
were lesbians, and he figured they wouldn't have families that would 
miss them.
  I believe that government's first duty is to defend its citizens, to 
defend them against the harms that come out of hate. The Local Law 
Enforcement Enhancement Act of 2001 is now a symbol that can become 
substance. I believe that by passing this legislation, we can change 
hearts and minds as well.

                          ____________________