[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 52 (Tuesday, April 1, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Page S4623]
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 September 19, 
2001, in Fairhaven, MA. An Arab-American family was harassed and 
assaulted by its neighbors. After being followed and harassed with 
racial slurs, the Arab-American father was attacked with a baseball 
bat. He was treated at a local emergency room. The tires on his son's 
car were slashed, as well.
  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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