[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 132 (Thursday, October 4, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Page S10283]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page S10283]]
                   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 April 13, 
2001 in San Antonio, TX. According to police, a 39-year-old man was 
attacked because the suspect thought he was a homosexual. The victim 
had stopped in a park to look at some rocks when a man with a knife 
came up behind him. The man held the victim in a bear hug before 
stabbing him in the chest with a knife that he described as a three-
inch Buck knife. The suspect allegedly called him anti-gay names as he 
stabbed him.
  I believe the 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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