[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 73 (Friday, May 21, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Page S6076]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT ACT OF 2003

  Mr. SMITH. Mr. President, today I 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 July 24, 2001, in Greeley, CO, Salvador Rivera, 24, was charged 
with beating his gay cousin. He was sentenced to 45 days in jail on 
work release and was also placed on 2 years of unsupervised probation 
and ordered to pay court costs and restitution.
  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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