[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 3]
[Senate]
[Page 3930]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT ACT OF 2001

 Mr. SMITH of Oregon. Mr. President, I wish 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 July 27, 1993 
in Atlanta, GA. A gay man was abducted, beaten, robbed and thrown out 
of a moving car. The four assailants used anti-gay slurs while beating 
the victim.
  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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