[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 148 (Wednesday, November 9, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Page S12603]
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 January, 2, 2004, in Madison, WI, Matt Collins and Shawn Wiese 
went to the Dry Bean Restaurant to meet a friend. After the restaurant 
closed, an altercation between two men and Collins and Wiese occurred. 
A woman later testified that one of the men told her that night that he 
should beat up Collins and Wiese for being gay.
  Mr. Collins, who had no health insurance, was hospitalized for 2 days 
with multiple broken bones in his right wrist that required a plate and 
seven screws.
  I believe that our Government's first duty is to defend its citizens, 
in all circumstances, from threats to them at home. The Local Law 
Enforcement Enhancement Act is a major step forward in achieving that 
goal. I believe that by passing this legislation and changing current 
law, we can change hearts and minds as well.

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