[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 87 (Wednesday, June 26, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Page S6124]
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 4, 2000 
in Casper, WY. A man was arrested on charges of firing shots at a group 
of people watching a Fourth of July fireworks display in what police 
described as a hate crime. Johnny Lee Hodge, who is white, was being 
held on $100,000 bond after firing a shotgun at least three times at 
several black men and pointing a gun at the head of a teenage Indian 
girl, authorities said. Hodge made racial slurs before shooting at the 
group.
  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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