[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 73 (Thursday, May 15, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Page S6502]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT ACT OF 2003

  Mr. SMITH. Mr. President, I rise today to speak about the need for 
hate crimes legislation. On May 1, 2003, 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 on October 3, 
2001. In Noroco, California, and Arab-American businessman was badly 
beaten by two men. As the man was closing his store for the evening, 
the pair entered the store wearing ski masks and shoved the victim to 
the back of the store. There they beat him and accosted him with racial 
epithets. The men then chained the victim to prevent him from fleeing, 
spray painted his face with black paint, and poured fire starter fluid 
on him. The victim eventually lost consciousness after he was 
repeatedly struck with liter bottles.
  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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