[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 110 (Wednesday, July 23, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Page S9790]
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 crime 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 Grand 
Rapids, MI. Justin Bogdanik, 18, was seen June 25, 2003, getting into a 
white tractor-trailer cab. The next day, he was found unconscious in a 
ditch at a Livingston County rest stop, 80 miles to the east. He had 
been beaten unconscious, his eyes were glued shut, there was adhesive 
on his genitals, and there were signs of sexual torture. Justin was 
taken to a hospital, where he survived on life support for almost 2 
weeks. He died on July 8, 2003. Police in Grand Rapids are 
investigating this brutal attack as a homicide and a hate crime-related 
death.
  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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