[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 1]
[Senate]
[Page 1304]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT ACT OF 2001

  Mr. SMITH. Mr. President, I rise today to speak about the need for 
hate crimes legislation. In the last Congress Senator Kennedy and I 
introduced the Local Law Enforcement Act, a bill that would add new 
categories to current hate crimes law, sending a signal that violence 
of any kind is unacceptable in our society.
  I would like to describe a terrible crime that occurred March 25, 
2002 in Dubuque, IA. Elizabeth Tran was assaulted by Carla Kaufman, 17, 
while she was walking home from school. Without warning, Kaufman 
attacked the victim, beating her and using racial slurs associated with 
the victim's Chinese heritage. The victim was treated in a local 
hospital following the incident.
  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 is 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.

                          ____________________