[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 90 (Wednesday, July 12, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Page S7411]
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 May 26, 2003, in Lawrence, KY, Josh Graves, a 15-year-old boy who 
suffers from cerebral palsy, was attacked at a local park by four 
teenage boys. The four boys approached Graves, taunting him and asking 
him if he was retarded. They attacked Graves, knocking him to the 
ground before punching and kicking him. After the attack, Graves was 
left on the ground suffering multiple seizures. According to reports, 
the sole motivation for this attack was Grave's disability.
  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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