[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 5 (Monday, January 13, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Page S225]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT ACT OF 2001

  Mr. SMITH. Mr. President, I rise today to speak about the need for 
hate crimes legislation. In the last Congress Senator Kennedy and I 
introduced the Local Law Enforcement Act, a bill that would add new 
categories to current hate crimes law, sending a signal that violence 
of any kind is unacceptable in our society.
  I would like to describe a terrible crime that occurred October 25, 
2001 in Dumfries, VA. Two Afghan-American teenagers were beaten by a 
group of attackers. Police said that April Scruggs, 42, and her son, 
Jarvis Berkley Wilhoit, 19, had been taunting the victims for more than 
a month prior to the beating. Wilhoit and a group of friends approached 
the victims, who are brothers ages 16 and 17, and began hitting them. 
Scruggs joined the fight and hit the 17-year-old in the head with a 
wrench.
  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 is 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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