[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 144 (Wednesday, October 15, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Page S12600]
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 Okinawa, 
Japan. On October 27, 1992, Terry Helvey brutally murdered Navy Seaman 
Allen R. Schindler, Jr., his ship mate. Helvey beat and stomped 
Schindler to death because Schindler was gay. Helvey's attack was so 
vicious that he destroyed every organ in Schindler's body. Schindler 
was so badly beaten that he could hardly be identified afterward. 
Schindler's mother, Dorothy Hajdys-Holman, could only identify her son 
by the remains of a tattoo on his arm. The medical examiner compared 
Schindler's injuries to those sustained by victims of fatal airplane 
crashes.
  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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