[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 169 (Thursday, November 20, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Page S15275]
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.
  Today marks the fifth annual Transgender Day of Remembrance and this 
year, we mourn with 37 families who lost their loved ones to 
antitransgender violence. My home State of Oregon has also lost a 
citizen to this form of hatred. In August 2001, Lorenzo ``Loni'' 
Okaruru died after being savagely beaten about the head and face with a 
blunt instrument. Detectives believe that the crime was most likely 
committed by a man who picked up Okaruru, who he thought was a women, 
and was angered to find out Okaruru was a biological male. Law 
enforcement officials believe that Okaruru was killed because of his 
sexual orientation and gender identity and have classified the crime as 
a hate crime. The Portland community and civil rights groups rallied 
together to denounce this horrible crime.
  I believe that Government's first duty 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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