[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 76 (Thursday, June 9, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Page S6295]
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.
  A gay white male was severely beaten and sent to the hospital by two 
men in a Columbus gay bar. The victim and a friend noticed the men in 
the bar when they arrived. At the end of the evening the two males 
started calling the victim various derogatory names, and pushed him out 
of the bar. Once outside, the men continued to beat the victim, using 
liquor bottles. Since the beating, the victim has had his tires slashed 
and received a letter in his mailbox telling him to `watch his back.' A 
police report was filed, but no arrests have been made.
  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.

                          ____________________