[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 115 (Wednesday, July 30, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Page S10257]
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 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 Portland, 
OR. On November 13, 1988, Mulugeta Seraw was savagely beaten to death 
by three white supremacists. Seraw had been visiting with two other 
Ethiopian males and was on his way home when he was attacked. Three 
members of the East Side White Pride jumped out of their car and beat 
27-year-old Seraw to death with steel baseball bats.
  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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