[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 80 (Monday, June 17, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5629-S5630]
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

[[Page S5630]]

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 April 27, 
2001 at Kent State University in Ohio. Mikell Nagy, an openly gay 
university student, was eating breakfast with friends when he heard 
someone make an anti-gay comment toward another friend across the room. 
When Mr. Nagy went to see if his friend was okay, a man walked up 
behind him, called him ``faggot'' and punched him in the face. 
According to witnesses, blood was pouring from cuts above his left eye 
and his two front teeth were chipped during the incident.
  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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