[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 17]
[Senate]
[Page 22887]
[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 April 29, 
2002 in Indianapolis, IN. A self-proclaimed neo-Nazi shot a 13-year-old 
black teenager as she walked with friends outside a convenience store. 
Investigators say that the assailant, who has tattoos of swastikas, 
argued with several black men about the insignias and then went on a 
mission to hurt someone who was black. The victim recovered from her 
injury, but surgeons did not remove the bullet from her body.
  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.

                          ____________________