[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 31 (Tuesday, March 15, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Page S2728]
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.
  Last September, a gay tourist was attacked outside a popular gay club 
in Hawaii. The woman was walking to the club with two of her friends 
when she was approached by two men. One of the men asked if the women 
were gay. When the men found out that the women were lesbians, they 
began to shout antigay epithets at them, and the tourist was struck in 
the face. She received several fractures below her eye, a broken jaw, 
and a concussion from the attack.
  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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