[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 13]
[Senate]
[Page 17798]
[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 Houston, 
TX. On September 21, 2001, a 30-year-old political refugee from Iraq 
was returning home at approximately midnight when he was threatened and 
injured by a gunman. As he opened his car door, the victim was 
approached by a young man who greeted him in Arabic. Suddenly, the 
attacker drew out a handgun and pointed it to the victim's head. When 
the victim offered money, the gunman said, ``I don't want your money. 
Your people killed my people. You are from the Middle East.'' The 
victim grabbed for the gun and was shot in the left hip in the 
struggle. The gunman fled on foot.
  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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