[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 14 (Thursday, February 10, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Page S1256]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT ENHANCEMENT ACT OF 2005

  Mr. SMITH. Mr. President, I rise today to speak about the need for 
hate crimes legislation. Each Congress, Senator Kennedy and I introduce 
hate crimes legislation that would add new categories to current hate 
crimes law, sending a signal that violence of any kind is unacceptable 
in our society. Likewise, each Congress I have come to the floor to 
highlight a separate hate crime that has occurred in our country.
  On July 17, 2004, Donald Brockman, Darren Gay, Shawn Regan and an 
unidentified 16-year-old boy accompanied another man home after leaving 
a bar in Austin, TX. After arriving, the four men allegedly punched and 
kicked the victim as well as forced him to violate himself because they 
believed he was gay. The four attackers described themselves as Aryan 
Nazis and later bragged about ``beating up a gay man.''
  I believe that the 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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