[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 70 (Monday, May 21, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5262-S5263]
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 March 1, 2000 
in Salt Lake City, Utah. Two defendants pleaded guilty to misdemeanor 
assault charges for their part in a 45-minute crime spree that began 
outside a gay bar. During the crime spree, two people were beaten and 
three others terrorized. ``Are you a faggot?'' one of the defendants 
yelled. ``He is a faggot!'' another replied as they chased the first 
victim to his car and pounded on his vehicle until the victim was able 
to escape to call the police. Later, the defendants yelled anti-gay 
slurs and threw beer bottles at another car that had two men in it. 
Forty-five minutes after the initial attack, the defendants waited 
outside the gay bar and beat two men who had just exited the bar. One 
of the defendants told the arresting officer they were ``just out for a 
good time.''
  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

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that by passing this legislation, we can change hearts and minds as 
well.

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