[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 82 (Wednesday, June 13, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Page S6209]
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 terrible crime that occurred in St. Louis, 
MO in 1998. A gay man was allegedly assaulted by a male neighbor who 
came into the victim's garage and hit him 12 times with a baseball bat 
saying, ``You are a faggot motherf---er who needs to move [out of this 
neighborhood]. If you don't move, you're gonna die.'' The victim 
required 70 stitches and sustained a permanent head injury.
  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.

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