[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 147 (Monday, October 20, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Page S12888]
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 my own 
backyard in Portland, OR. Early in the morning on Sunday, September 21, 
2003, two men who identified themselves as skinheads, stabbed one 
African-American man and threatened another with a gun. Sadly, these 
two racially motivated crimes were committed by young men--both in 
their early twenties--with hate in their hearts.
  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.

                          ____________________