[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 39 (Tuesday, March 11, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Page S3494]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT ACT OF 2001

  Mr. SMITH. Mr. President, I 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 will describe a terrible crime that occurred April 8, 2002 in 
Northern Virginia. Two men beat a tow truck driver on the Beltway near 
Washington, D.C. The tow truck driver, who is Iranian, stopped on the 
highway to assist two men who appeared to be in need of help. After the 
driver stopped, the two men punched and choked him while calling him 
racist names.
  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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