[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 89 (Tuesday, June 17, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Page S7976]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT ACT OF 2003

  Mr. SMITH. Mr. President, I 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 in 
Germantown, MD. A 16-year-old Arab-American girl was physically 
attacked by a group of unknown young adults on the Campus of Montgomery 
College on September 14, 2001. This was the first of three hate crimes 
targeting the student and her family. On September 21, her family was 
out driving when unknown assailants threw a firecracker in front of 
their car. On September 28, vandals smashed the rear window of the 
family's minivan while it was parked in front of their home.
  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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