[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 10]
[Senate]
[Page 13686]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT ACT OF 2003

  Mr. SMITH. Mr. President, I rise today to speak about the need for 
hate crimes legislation. On May 1, 2003, 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 on April 10, 
2003. A day after taking part in the national Day of Silence to promote 
school safety for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered students, 
16-year-old Caitlin Meuse was savagely attacked in Concord, MA. 
According to police, the attack may have been related to her 
participation in the event at her high school. Meuse had been struck by 
a blunt object such as a baseball bat or a tire iron. Knocked 
unconscious and bleeding from the head, Caitlin was found lying in the 
street by a neighbor near her home. She was held in intensive care at 
the hospital for 2 days and was treated for a head injury, missing 
front teeth, a fractured nose, deep cuts and severe facial swelling.
  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.

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