[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 15]
[Senate]
[Page 20542]
[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.
  On May 19, 2002, in Wise, VA, Joseph Armstrong murdered his cellmate, 
Kenneth Boothe Jr., at Red Onion State Prison. During the trial, 
prosecutors contended Armstrong killed Boothe because he hated gays and 
blacks and thought Boothe was gay.
  I believe that the 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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