[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 13]
[Senate]
[Page 18246]
[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 January 17, 
2001 in Helena, MT. An openly gay student at Carroll College withdrew 
from school 14 days after being knocked unconscious and beaten in his 
dorm room. The victim did not initially report the incident due to fear 
of further retribution. Someone struck the student in the head with a 
bottle as he returned to his room from the dorm showers early in the 
morning and then beat him while he was unconscious. The attacker also 
wrote ``Die Fag'' on his body with an ink marker.
  I believe that government's first duty is to defend its citizens, to 
defend 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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