[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 47 (Tuesday, April 19, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Page S3893]
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 day I have come to the floor to 
highlight a separate hate crime that has occurred in our country.
  Last March, 29-year-old Jason Gage, who is gay, was beaten and 
stabbed in his home. According to police reports, his attacker 
acknowledged striking Gage twice with a bottle in the head and stabbing 
him with a piece of glass. There have been reports that the victim was 
targeted solely because of his sexual orientation.
  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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