[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 3]
[Senate]
[Pages 3569-3570]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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  (At the request of Mr. Daschle, the following statement was ordered 
to be printed in the Record.)

                         HONORING DOTTIE POTTER

 Mr. JOHNSON. Mr. President, I wish to recognize the 
contributions and accomplishments of a dedicated journalist serving 
readers in my State of South Dakota. For years, Dottie Potter has 
served as a reporter covering important news impacting South Dakota's 
Native American population. As a writer for the Indian Country Today 
and the Lakota Nation Journal, Dottie is truly a credit to her 
profession.
  She has worked hard over the years to educate the general population 
of the talents, accomplishments and skills of Native Americans in South 
Dakota. Dottie has helped educate and

[[Page 3570]]

inform thousands of readers. I have always respected her 
professionalism and skill as a journalist, and her sensitivity to the 
issues affecting her readers.
  Her tireless efforts to dig for details and to explore all sides of 
particular issues symbolizes her dedication to the field of journalism. 
She is a well-respected reporter in South Dakota. But she is also well-
known for her empathy and care when writing human interest stories. 
Dottie has delivered stories to her readers on almost every topic, from 
those that involved the road to success for a favorite son or daughter 
to words of wisdom from a tribal elder to the plight of South Dakota 
Indian families.
  Among the many awards she has received over the years, she received 
the South Dakota Education Association Golden Apple Award in October of 
2002, in recognition of outstanding media coverage of public education 
issues and events in South Dakota.
  Dottie now works on a personal story, a fight to overcome cancer. A 
reporter to the core, Dottie continues to make an impact on her 
community. With remarkable spirit and bravery, she still works as a 
reporter with Lakota Nation Journal as she educates, entertains and 
informs readers. Her fight against cancer serves as an inspiration to 
others.
  I congratulate and commend Dottie Potter on her many years as a 
journalist. Her body of work serves as a long-standing tribute to her 
commitment to the Native American populations of South Dakota and the 
Nation. 

                   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 6, 1999, in Santa Clarita, CA, two men were charged with 
suspicion of committing a hate crime after they allegedly burglarized a 
residence and beat three gay men.
  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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