[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 58 (Monday, April 14, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Page S2973]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    THE MATTHEW SHEPARD ACT OF 2007

  Mr. SMITH. Madam President, I wish 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.
  Early in the morning of September 9, 2007, police in Antioch, CA, 
responded to a call regarding a fight that had broken out at a party. 
According to witnesses, Phillip Hale, 18, and a 17-year-old accomplice 
were mocking and attempting to provoke a group of deaf partygoers by 
mimicking their hand movements. The two teens were asked to leave, but 
came back sometime later with a stick, a hoe, and a brick. Witnesses 
say a fight ensued upon their return. When police arrived on the scene, 
they found a substantial amount of blood. One deaf victim suffered a 
minor head injury, and Hale suffered a head injury as well, for which 
he was treated at John Muir Medical Center. According to jail records, 
Hale was booked at Contra County jail on suspicion of assault with a 
deadly weapon, conspiracy, and committing 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. 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.

                          ____________________