[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 6]
[Senate]
[Page 7255]
[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 on September 
14, 2001 in Tulsa, OK. A food store employee of Middle-Eastern descent 
was attacked while leaving his apartment. Three people jumped on him, 
knocked him down, covered his eyes, and beat him. After addressing him 
with an expletive, the men threatened, ``We are going to cut you like 
you cut our people.'' Before his eyes were covered, he saw that one of 
the attackers had a knife-like object. The victim was hospitalized and 
treated for multiple lacerations.
  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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