[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 2]
[Senate]
[Page 2121]
[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 November 4, 
2001 in Hendersonville, N.C. A man shot into the home of a Hispanic 
family. The assailant, Gene Autry Williams, 60, was heard to yell 
racial slurs at the family before shooting at them in their home. 
Williams was charged with assault for pointing and discharging a 
firearm, and for ethnic intimidation.
  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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