[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 82 (Wednesday, June 19, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Page S5767]
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 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 September 30, 
2001 in San Diego County, CA. A 51 year-old Sikh woman was attacked by 
two men who stabbed her twice in the head and threatened to kill her. 
As she was sitting in her car, the two assailants pulled up next to her 
on a motorcycle, opened her door, and one of them yelled, ``This is 
what you get for what your people have done to us. I'm going to slash 
your throat.'' The attackers fled when another car approached the 
scene.
  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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