[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 2]
[Senate]
[Page 1611]
[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 June 17, 2001 
in Springfield, MO. An African-American man, Maurice Wilson, was 
stabbed three times by one of six men whom witnesses described as 
skinheads and white supremacists. Police said the stabbing appeared to 
be racially motivated. The victim had walked into a diner with his 
girlfriend, who is white, and another interracial couple. A fight 
ensued between the victim and the group of alleged white supremacists 
when one of the group pulled out a knife and stabbed the victim.
  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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