[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 95 (Wednesday, June 25, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Page S8548]
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 September 
22, 2000. A man looking to ``waste some faggots'' entered a gay bar in 
Roanoke, VA, and opened fire, killing Danny Overstreet, and injuring 
six others. Overstreet, sitting at a table closest to the gunman, 
dropped when a shot hit him in the chest. The 43-year-old gay man died 
within minutes, despite efforts to help him. The other six victims 
eventually recovered. A witness told police that the gunman--a vocal 
antigay advocate--had asked directions earlier in the evening to gay 
bars in the Roanoke area.
  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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