[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 15]
[Senate]
[Page 20910]
[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 last 
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 September 15, 
2001 in San Francisco, CA. Two men, Robin Clarke and Sean Fernandes, 
were brutally attacked by a man who thought Fernandes was an Arab. The 
assailant passed the two men on the street, called Fernandes a ``dirty 
Arab'', then punched both men and stabbed Clarke in the chest. The 
assailant escaped in a blue Mustang coupe after the attack.
  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 and changing 
current law, we can change hearts and minds as well.

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