[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 84 (Tuesday, May 22, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Page S6458]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        THE MATTHEW SHEPARD ACT

  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 18, 2007, in Greenville, SC, Sean Kennedy was beaten by an 
unnamed man which resulted in his death. Kennedy, a gay man, was 
punched in the face and knocked to the ground where he sustained 
injuries to his head. Kennedy died of his injuries later that night at 
a local hospital. The attacker was later brought into custody and 
charged with murder. Because Kennedy was attacked while leaving a gay 
bar and the attacker used anti-gay epithets, the Greenville County 
Sheriff turned the case over to the FBI for investigation as a hate 
crime.
  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 Matthew 
Shepard 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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