[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 32 (Tuesday, March 14, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2116-S2117]
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

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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 May 3, 2005, Galo Garcia was walking on the Harvard University 
campus in Cambridge, MA, when a passing driver began yelling sexually 
derogatory terms at him and his companion. Garcia confronted the 
driver, who then allegedly beat Garcia. Garcia received cuts, bruises, 
and a severe concussion during the attack.
  According to reports, Garcia claims he was verbally and then 
physically assaulted because he was walking with his arm around another 
man.
  I believe that the Government's first duty is to defend its citizens, 
to defend them against the harms that are born 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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