[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 30 (Monday, February 25, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Page S1115]
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 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.
  On February 12, 2008, Lawrence King, an eighth grader in Ventura 
County, CA, was shot at school allegedly for being gay. He was known by 
classmates as an outcast who often came to school in high heels, 
jewelry, and makeup. He had come out just weeks before the shooting. 
King was working in a computer lab along with 20 other students that 
day when, witnesses say, 14-year-old classmate Brandon McInerney 
approached Lawrence and shot him in the head with a handgun. King was 
rushed to a local hospital where he was later declared brain dead. Once 
the victim died, prosecutors charged McInerney with murder as a 
premeditated hate crime and gun possession. He will be tried as an 
adult.
  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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