[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 68 (Thursday, May 17, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Page S5112]
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 describe a heinous crime that occurred October 31, 
1999 in Inverness, Florida. After shouting anti-gay epithets, a 
teenager allegedly drove into a group of young people dressed in drag 
on Halloween night, killing 17-year-old Allison Decratel and injuring 
another person. The teenager, Richard Burzynski Jr., 17, and passenger 
Thomas Alan Bonneville, 16, drove past the cross-dressed group several 
times shouting ``faggots'' at the boys in the group before steering the 
car into the group of teens. The perpetrators fled the scene but were 
apprehended 50 miles north of the incident. On November 19, Burzynski 
was indicted on six counts, including first-degree murder.
  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.

                          ____________________