[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 60 (Monday, May 13, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4269-S4270]
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 last 
year. The

[[Page S4270]]

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 June 2000 
in Rapid City, SD. Police were ``baffled'' by the lastest in a series 
of eight inexplicable drowning deaths among mostly Native Americans 
along Rapid Creek. Press reports indicate that local Native Americans 
believe an ``Indian-hater'' is waiting for the victims to become drunk 
and then dragging, rolling, or pushing them into the water. Those 
incidents came on the heels of a March 2000 report from the U.S. Civil 
Rights Commission showing that racial tensions in the state are high.
  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 and changing 
current law, we can change hearts and minds as well.

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