[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 69 (Monday, May 17, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Page S5529]
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 October 10, 2003, Bart Browne approached several men congregating 
outside an Albany, NY, gay bar. It is alleged that Browne hated gays 
and thus felt justified in sucker-punching one of the gay men in the 
face. The force of the single strike broke the 28-year-old victim's 
jaw, caused a permanent loss of feeling in his left cheek and 
eradicated the sense of smell in that nostril, prosecutors said. 
Fearing further assaults for being gay, according to prosecutors, the 
victim moved away from the area. Browne faces a hate crimes sentence of 
up to 4 years in state prison.
  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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