[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 32 (Thursday, February 27, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2983-S2984]
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

[[Page S2984]]

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 July 6, 2001 
in Grand Junction, CO. Eric Valdez, 19, was stabbed to death by Sjon 
Elmgreen, 19, after leaving a grocery store. The incident began when 
Elmgreen's fiancee called him to say that two Hispanic teens had just 
been flirting with her at the grocery store. She later told police that 
the teens had not been rude or threatening in the store. Nonetheless, 
Elmgreen and his roommate walked from their home to confront the teens. 
Elmgreen's fiancee told police that the confrontation turned into a 
fist fight, during which Elmgreen yelled racial epithets. After the 
fight, Elmgreen stabbed Valdez.
  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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