[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 15]
[Senate]
[Page 19961]
[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 Enhancement 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 Los 
Angeles, CA. On September 12, 2001, two Spanish-speaking women were 
harassed and beaten by another patient in a doctor's office. Believing 
the women to be of Middle Eastern descent, the attacker verbally and 
physically assaulted the women in retaliation for the September 11, 
2001, terrorist attack on the United States. As the attacker struck the 
women, she yelled ``You foreigners caused all this trouble.''
  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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