[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 98 (Thursday, July 18, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Pages S7029-S7030]
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

[[Page S7030]]

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 13, 
2001 in San Antonio, TX. A 39 year old man was attacked because he was 
thought to be a homosexual, according to police. The victim was 
attacked in a park by a man with a knife. The man held the victim in a 
bear hug before stabbing him in the chest with what was described as a 
three-inch Buck knife. The suspect was heard to call the victim anti-
gay names as he stabbed him.
  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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