[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 174 (Tuesday, November 25, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Page S15961]
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.
  On Saturday, October 25, 2003, an off-duty officer in Austin, TX, was 
attacked in an apparent anti-gay hate crime. The victim, his partner, 
and a friend were at a stop sign in a vehicle with a rainbow sticker on 
the license plate. Two pedestrians in the crosswalk blocked the vehicle 
while six to eight other men approached and began pounding the car. 
Witnesses say one man struck the victim in the face and pulled him from 
the passenger seat while yelling, ``faggot.'' The officer fell to the 
ground, and the attackers picked him up only to beat him again. He 
suffered broken teeth and puncture wounds on his lower lip.
  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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