[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 54 (Thursday, April 3, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Page S4820]
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 14, 
2001 in San Francisco, CA. An Australian software engineer was stabbed 
in the chest by someone who thought his friend, a man of Indian and 
Hispanic heritage, was an Arab. The victims say the stabbing took place 
when they were passed by a group while crossing the street. A scuffle 
ensued when the engineer was punched or bumped by one of the men. The 
assailant used racial slurs to describe the victims and said, ``We 
don't like Arabs'' before stabbing the engineer.
  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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