[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 35 (Friday, March 22, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2322-S2323]
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 wish to speak about hate 
crimes legislation I introduced with Senator Kennedy in March of last 
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 July 27, 1993 
in Atlanta, GA. A gay man was abducted, beaten, robbed and thrown out 
of a moving car. The four assailants used anti-gay slurs while beating 
the victim.
  I believe that government's first duty is to defend its citizens, to 
defend them

[[Page S2323]]

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 and changing current law, we 
can change hearts and minds as well.

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