[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 7]
[Senate]
[Pages 9210-9211]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT ACT OF 2003

  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 October 7, 2001, in Palm Spring, CA, Eric Bridge told police he 
was robbed and beaten unconscious by four men who chased him from a 
downtown bar after accusing him of being gay and hurling anti-gay slurs 
at him. Bridge was treated for cuts and bruises at a local medical 
center and released. The victim said he was not gay but believes he was 
targeted based on perception.
  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

[[Page 9211]]

become substance. By passing this legislation and changing current law, 
we can change hearts and minds as well.

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