[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 15 (Monday, February 14, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Page S1341]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT 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.
  Last July, an 18-year-old Alabama man was bound, beaten, strangled, 
cut, and set on fire by his housemates. His decomposed body was found 
in the woods along a dirt road 4 days after the savage attack. The 
nature of the wounds suggests that the motive behind the murder was the 
fact that the victim was gay.
  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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