[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 29 (Tuesday, March 9, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2430-S2431]
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

[[Page S2431]]

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.
  One terrible crime occurred in October 2003 in Providence, RI. There, 
a woman was grabbed off a street by two men who yelled homophobic slurs 
and then egged each other on while raping her at knifepoint. The woman 
was walking to a club around 11:30 p.m. when a large tan vehicle pulled 
up nearby. The driver asked her for directions, and as she spoke with 
him, another man grabbed her from behind and forced her into the back 
seat of the vehicle. The men accused her of being a lesbian and called 
her names. They then pulled into a lot and took turns raping her at 
knifepoint. After, they pushed her out of the car and sped off.
  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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