[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 76 (Thursday, June 3, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6442-S6443]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT ACT OF 2003

  Mr. SMITH. Mr. President, I speak about the need for hate crimes 
legislation. On May 1, 2003, Senator Kennedy

[[Page S6443]]

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.
  David Blair, also known as Steve Perry, was found dead by the 
Ketchikan, AK, police department on July 26, 2001. Terry Simpson, Jr., 
19, and Joshua Anderson, 20, were arrested in response to a tip in 
which the informant said he overhead the two men bragging that they 
were planning to ``beat up and rob Blair because he is a fag.''
  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. By 
passing this legislation and changing current law, we can change hearts 
and minds as well.

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