[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 129 (Friday, October 4, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Page S9979]
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 in November 
2000 in Shawano, WI. Two men tried to run an Asian couple off a road 
with a pickup truck. The men pulled up behind the victims' car at a 
high speed and forced the couple's car to swerve onto the shoulder. 
They then continued to chase the couple and buzzed close to the 
vehicle. The driver, Grant Heim, 19, used racial slurs when referring 
to the victims and was charged with a hate crime in connection to 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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