[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 9]
[Senate]
[Page 12682]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT ACT OF 2001

  Mr. SMITH of Oregon. Madam 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 19, 
2000 in Cambridge, MA. A Muslim student, who was wearing a praying cap, 
was returning to his dorm from Islamic prayer when two white men with 
shaved heads attacked him. The men grabbed the student from behind and 
punched and kicked him. One of the perpetrators used a racial epithet 
during the beating. The victim required medical attention and received 
stitches for a wound to his head.
  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 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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