[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 94 (Monday, July 9, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Page S7327]
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 in March of this 
year. 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 June 2, 1999 
in Greenfield, MA. Jonathan Shapiro, 18, and Matthew Rogers, 20, used a 
pocketknife to cut an anti-gay slur into the back of a high school 
classmate.
  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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