[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 61 (Monday, May 7, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4414-S4415]
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 June 10, 2000 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. A man in a minivan 
yelling obscenities ran down participants in a gay pride parade. One 
victim was hit twice in the knees and thrown off the hood. The 
perpetrator tried to swerve into the crowd, which included small 
children, three times before police pulled him out of the vehicle and 
arrested him.
  I believe that government's first duty is to defend its citizens--to 
defend them against the harms that come out

[[Page S4415]]

 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.

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