[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 46 (Tuesday, April 25, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3498-S3499]
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.
  In March 2006, Gregory Pisarcik was sentenced to life in prison in 
Santa Ana, CA for the murder of Narciso Leggs, a gay man. During the 
attack, Pisarcik repeatedly hit Leggs over the head with a champagne 
bottle. When police later found his body one ear had been cut off and 
anti-gay slurs were written all over his body. According to sources, 
police feel that sexual orientation was a motivation for the attack.
  I believe that the Government's first duty is to defend its citizens, 
to defend

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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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