[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 128 (Thursday, October 3, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Page S9898]
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 December 10, 
2000 in Jacksonville, FL. Three white men, all 20 years old, assaulted 
a black man. The victim was walking down the street when the three 
allegedly said, ``There's one, let's get him'' before running toward 
him. The assailants, who sources say met at a white supremacist rally, 
knocked the victim to the ground, then punched and kicked 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.
  Mr. BINGAMAN. Mr. President, I rise today in strong support of the 
actions taken by the administration to create a viable international 
regime that stops trade in conflict diamonds, and I encourage the 
administration to increase their efforts to further expand this regime 
so it attains an effective and comprehensive level of coordination, 
certification, monitoring, and enforcement.
  The Kimberley process has its origins in a decision by African 
countries to end trade in diamonds that fuel regional conflict but 
sustain trade in diamonds that create economic stability. This effort 
has been supported by a number of countries, non-governmental 
organizations, and the diamond industry. In March 2002, the principals 
concluded their last full session, and it is now the responsibility of 
the countries involved in this process to enact implementing 
legislation.
  A number of Senators and I are currently engaged in discussions with 
the administration as to what this legislation would look like and what 
an appropriate vehicle for the legislation would be. I would like the 
legislation to be more expansive than the administration wants at this 
time, and I would like the legislation to directly address the problems 
related to certification and accountability mentioned in a recent GAO 
report. But that said, I believe the administration is negotiating in 
good faith, and that they want the same outcome in the end that I do. 
Thus I fully expect that we will find common ground for action in the 
next few days. I also fully expect that discussions will continue so we 
can find appropriate remedies on all the outstanding issues.
  I traveled to Africa in August, and I know from my briefings there 
that trade in conflict diamonds is a despicable practice that must end. 
It is incredibly disturbing and sad that one of the most promising 
means to attain real economic growth and political stability in certain 
areas of Africa--the natural wealth represented by diamonds and the 
diamond industry--has instead become a deadly tool by which rebel 
movements can purchase weapons, maim and massacre civilians, destroy 
communities, overthrow governments, and perpetuate uncertainty. Of 
equal significance, there is increasing and incontrovertible evidence 
that funds from the illicit trade in conflict diamonds are being used 
by Al-Qaeda to finance terrorism. The problem of conflict diamonds must 
be confronted, it must be confronted now, and it must be confronted in 
a way that ends both the brutal violence that is pervasive in Africa 
and the possibility that conflict diamonds may fund terrorist 
activities in countries around the world.
  In my view, it is incumbent on the United States to play an active 
and prominent role in creating a framework that ends trade in conflict 
diamonds. In my view, it is incumbent upon Congress to work with the 
administration to ensure that this effort occurs. I believe the 
Kimberley process should move more rapidly toward its stated goals and 
the more robust goals outlined by the United Nations. But I also 
understand that multilateral action will be essential for this regime 
to work, and that multilateral agreements take time to arrange. I am 
willing to be patient, but only with the understanding that people are 
dying in Africa at this time and we must help them soon. More delay 
means more suffering, and we all have to be cognizant of that as we 
contemplate solutions.
  Thus I think it is essential to state on the floor of the Senate 
today that I stand solidly behind the ongoing effort to end trade in 
conflict diamonds, and I encourage the administration to continue its 
effort to create a strong international regime that will engender 
political stability and economic growth in Africa. I am ready to work 
intensively with my colleagues and the administration to this end.
  I yield the floor.

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