[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 112 (Friday, July 25, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Page S9956]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                   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 Enhancement 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 Reedley, 
CA. On September 21, 2001, Abdo Ali Ahmed was killed after receiving a 
death threat and a hate note deriding his ethnicity. Ahmed was a 51-
year-old Yemeni shopkeeper and father of eight. Before his murder, 
Ahmed had lived in California for 35 years.
  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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