[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 99 (Tuesday, July 8, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Page S9044]
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 Tulsa, OK. 
On September 11, 2001, a 29-year-old Pakistani was hospitalized after 
he was badly beaten and kicked by three men. The racially motivated 
attack happened outside of a service station as the victim was visiting 
a friend who worked there. The victim suffered a broken jaw and lost 
several teeth during the attack. He was hospitalized for several days 
in a Tulsa hospital.
  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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