[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 15 (Monday, February 9, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Page S717]
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 November 14, 2001, Milwaukee resident Pablo Parrilla was charged 
with first-degree intentional homicide in connection with the death of 
his lesbian sister's girlfriend, Juana Vega. The shooting occurred when 
Vega went to the home of her girlfriend's family to reconcile an 
argument. Instead, Parilla confronted her outside the house and shot 
her repeatedly. Parrilla apparently told Vega ``I'm going to kill you 
because you are gay'' and ``because you turned my sister gay.''
  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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