[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 6]
[Senate]
[Page 7226]
[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. 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.
   Chicago police issued a community warning the week of April 5, 2004, 
alerting North Side residents of slayings of two gay men under similar 
circumstances. The bodies of Kevin Clewer and Brad Nelson were found in 
their apartments in March and August, respectively, with multiple stab 
wounds, police said.
   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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