[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 78 (Monday, June 7, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Page S6497]
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.
  One such crime occurred on November 18, 2001 in Huntington, WV. 
Michael Fife, 28, was beaten, robbed of $20 and left in an alley for 
dead while walking home from a gay nightclub. Mr. Fife suffered a 
fractured skull and internal bleeding. Due to a rash of hate crimes 
biased against gays in the area, some believe that Mr. Fife may have 
been attacked because the alleged perpetrators thought he was 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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