[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 12]
[Senate]
[Pages 17782-17783]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                   LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT ACT OF 2001

  Mr. SMITH of Oregon. Mr. President, I rise today to speak about hate 
crimes legislation I introduced with Senator Kennedy in March of this 
year. The Local Law Enforcement Act of 2001 would add new categories to 
current hate crimes legislation sending a signal that violence of any 
kind is unacceptable in our society.
  I would like to describe a terrible crime that occurred August 29, 
1993 in Walla Walla, WA. A man believed to be gay was sexually 
assaulted with a stick, struck by the assailant's truck and abandoned 
in a remote area. Todd I. Klevgaard, 27, was charged with felony 
assault.
  I believe that Government's first duty is to defend its citizens, to 
defend

[[Page 17783]]

them against the harms that come out of hate. The Local Law Enforcement 
Enhancement Act of 2001 is now a symbol that can become substance. I 
believe that by passing this legislation, we can change hearts and 
minds as well.

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