[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 15]
[Senate]
[Page 20722]
[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 August 27, 2000, Christopher Weninger, who is not gay, was walking 
home from a party when three men approached him and one asked him for a 
cigarette. As Weninger handed the man a cigarette, another man punched 
him in the face and called him ``queer.'' Weninger suffered a broken 
nose and eye socket. Police investigated the beating as a hate crime.
  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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