[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 118 (Thursday, July 17, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Page S6930]
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 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 on 
many occasions to highlight a separate violent, hate-motivated crime 
that has occurred in our country.
  On the evening of July 7, 2008, Rev. Louis Braxton, Jr., was 
returning to the shelter he runs for transgender and gay youth in 
Queens, NY, when he witnessed a group of teens attacking some of the 
shelter's residents. Father Braxton says he shouted at the attackers 
and they ran off. Four of them returned, however, holding a paint 
bucket, steel brackets, a miter box, and a belt. According to the 
Queens district attorney's office, two of the residents argued with the 
four attackers and were punched in the face and body. Father Braxton, 
who was also reportedly struck in the face with a metal object in the 
scuffle, says the assailants were yelling homophobic and 
antitransgender slurs as they beat the victims. The shelter apparently 
suffers from weekly attacks from neighborhood teenagers. Father Braxton 
has met with the Hate Crimes Division of the police department to 
discuss safety issues for the residents. The district attorney's office 
has charged Shara Mozie, Tyreek Childs, and Trevaughn Payne with 
assault and weapons harassment, and the attack is also being 
investigated 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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