[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 116 (Thursday, September 15, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Page S10110]
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 1, 2005, a man was beaten outside his home in Destin, FL. 
According to police, the apparent motivation for the attack was that 
the man was gay.
  I would note that yesterday in the House, hate crimes legislation was 
passed in a bipartisan vote. I strongly believe that we must also move 
similar legislation in the Senate. In the months ahead I look forward 
to working with Senator Kennedy as we continue our work in passing a 
hate crimes bill.

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