[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 17]
[Senate]
[Page 23145]
[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 6, 
2001in Madison, WI. Two men were arrested on the University of 
Wisconsin campus for attempting to strangle a gay man. The attackers 
were part of a visiting group on campus to talk about homosexuality. 
The attackers approached the victim, told him that it was his time to 
go to hell, then began choking him.
  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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