[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 1]
[Senate]
[Page 1378]
[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 October 6, 
2001 in Topeka, KS. A 21 year-old man from Bangladesh was attacked in a 
convenience store. Police say that the victim entered the store when 
three men began asking him questions about his national origin and 
religion. One of the men used a racial slur and then started punching 
the victim. The victim was treated at a local hospital for injuries 
sustained during the attack.
  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.

                          ____________________