[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 92 (Wednesday, July 7, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Page S7743]
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 14, 1995, a 9-year-old boy named Steven Wilson was found 
brutally raped, beaten, and drowned in a muddy ditch one mile from his 
house. Around the town, little Steven was known as a kid who liked to 
play with dolls. Other kids teased him and called him ``fag.'' 
Nonetheless, Lamont Harden, a 15-year-old neighbor of Wilson, confessed 
to this horrific murder on the basis that he was trying to ``humble the 
fag'' that allegedly got into a scuffle with his brother.
  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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