[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 6]
[Senate]
[Page 7489]
[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 September 16, 
2001, in Eagan, MN. An Indian-American woman left a grocery store 
followed by three teenage boys. One of them pushed her against her car. 
When she turned, another punched her in the stomach and then elbowed 
her in the back. As they left, the assailants said, ``This is what you 
people deserve.''
  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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