[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 59 (Monday, May 15, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4551-S4552]
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 the summer of 1988 in Orange County, CA, a group of six youths 
went

[[Page S4552]]

on a spree of beatings that police say was targeted at gay men. Robert 
Joyce testified that while walking along a stretch of coast popular to 
gay people, he was attacked by the youths. According to police reports, 
Joyce was beaten for several minutes, including being hit in the head 
with a 2-inch metal pipe. He required 80 stitches to mend his wounds. 
During the attack the attackers yelled, ``Kill him! kill him! kill the 
faggot!'' The group of youths attacked several other gay men in the 
area before being apprehended by police.
  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.

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