[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 83 (Thursday, June 20, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5844-S5845]
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 July 29, 2000 
in Mahwah, NJ. Two gay men were beaten in an apartment complex parking 
lot. The assailant, William Courain, 26, was at an apartment complex 
party when he began making obscene remarks to several of the guests 
about their sexual

[[Page S5845]]

orientation. He left the party and confronted two men in the parking 
lot, making derogatory comments about their sexual orientation before 
attacking them. Witnesses say he began punching and kicking the two 
victims, one of whom suffered bleeding from the mouth and eyes and was 
treated at a local hospital. Mr. Courain was arrested and charged with 
aggravated assault, bias harrassment and bias assault in connection 
with 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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