[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 60 (Friday, May 4, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4397-S4398]
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.
  Today, Mr. President, I would like to detail a heinous crime that 
occurred February 6, 2000 in Tucson, Arizona. A 20-year-old gay 
University of Arizona student was sitting at a cafe when a man came up 
behind him and stabbed him with large knife. Witnesses heard the 
perpetrator saying that he had ``killed a f---ing faggot,'' ``this is 
what gays deserve,'' and ``let this be a warning to the gay 
community.'' The victim was treated at a local hospital and released. 
The attack spurred an anti-hate rally on campus a few days later 
drawing over 1,000 people.
  I believe that government's first duty is to defend its citizens, to 
defnd them against the harms that come out of hate. The Local Law 
Enforcement Enhancement Act of 2001 is now a symbol

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that can become substance. I believe that by passing this legislation, 
we can change hearts and minds as well.

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