[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 5]
[Senate]
[Page 6633]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT ACT OF 2001

   Mr. SMITH. Mr. President, I 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 February 29, 2004, a transsexual man who was planning to undergo 
an operation to make him a woman, was found shot to death in his car 
parked outside his apartment in Georgia. The Atlanta Police are 
canvassing local bars seeking information from anyone who knew the 
victim.
   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. By 
passing this legislation and changing current law, we can change hearts 
and minds as well.

                          ____________________