[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 18 (Tuesday, February 5, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Page S657]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    THE 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 strengthen and 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 February 2, 2008, a gay couple, Thomas 
Colonna and Brad Crelia, were walking in the Capitol Hill area of 
Seattle, when they were nearly struck by a vehicle. The car then 
screeched to a halt, and several men exited, yelling anti-gay slurs. 
The couple attempted to run away, but Crelia, who had a broken foot, 
was unable to move quickly. The attackers descended upon the two men, 
still hurling epithets as they began to hit them. One assailant 
snatched the cane Crelia had been using to support his weight and began 
to beat him around the head and face with it. Crelia and Colonna both 
suffered cuts, bruises and broken bones as a result of the attack. 
Police have not yet made any arrests, but witnesses have provided 
descriptions and a license plate for the attackers.
  I believe that the Government's first duty is to defend its citizens, 
to defend them against the harms that come out of hate. Federal laws 
intended to protect individuals from heinous and violent crimes 
motivated by hate are woefully inadequate. This legislation would 
better equip the Government to fulfill its most important obligation by 
protecting new groups of people as well as better protecting citizens 
already covered under deficient laws. I believe that by passing this 
legislation and changing current law, we can change hearts and minds as 
well.

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