[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 178 (Friday, November 16, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Page S14611]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      MATTHEW SHEPARD ACT OF 2007

  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 early morning of November 4, 2007, in Austin, TX, a man was 
beaten by a group of college-aged men screaming antigay slurs. Tony 
Baker, 29, was riding his bike home when three men called to him from a 
sidewalk. He stopped to engage them since he hadn't understood what 
they were saying, and the men approached him. When it became apparent 
to him that the men were shouting antigay insults and that they were 
hostile, he began to ride off. But it was too late. The men were 
already upon him and began punching and kicking him in the head, still 
allegedly shouting slurs. The beating reportedly lasted about a minute, 
and Baker ended up in the hospital with minor injuries. The police are 
investigating the incident.
  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.

                          ____________________