[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 138 (Monday, October 15, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Page S10686]
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.
  Last Friday marked the three-year anniversary of a heinous crime that 
occurred in Laramie, WY. On October 12, 1998, Matthew Shepard, 21, an 
openly gay student at the University of Wyoming, was savagely beaten to 
death, burned, and tied to a wooden fence. Russell A. Henderson, 21, 
and Aaron McKinney were convicted of first-degree felony murder, 
kidnapping, and aggravated battery. The duo had met Shepard at a bar, 
pretended to be gay, and lured him to their truck where they intended 
to rob him. After being pistol whipped and burned, Shepard was found 18 
hours later tied to a fence and in a coma. He died later that night in 
Poudre Valley Hospital in Fort Collins, CO. The pair's girlfriends, 
Chasity V. Pasley, 20, and Kristen L. Price, 18, were convicted for 
being accessories after the fact.
  On a personal note, I want to state that my involvement with hate 
crimes legislation stems from this murder. I was in Portland, OR 
watching the televised vigil on the steps of the Capitol following 
Matt's death. It caused me great sorrow to note that no sitting 
Republican Senator was involved in this vigil. I resolved then to help 
change our current hate crimes law in part so that what happened to 
Matt, would never happen again.
  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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