[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 11]
[Senate]
[Page 14891]
[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 in Prince 
William, VA. On November 1, 2001, a 26-year-old and his 25-year-old 
friend were charged with a hate crime after assaulting a 46-year-old 
Pakistani taxi driver. The driver had picked up the pair and, during 
the ride to a nearby motel, the two passengers verbally accosted him. 
Upon their arrival, the frightened driver exited his car and tried to 
flee, but the pair caught hold of him and began beating him in the 
motel parking lot.
  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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