[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 8]
[Senate]
[Pages 11026-11027]
[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 adds new categories to 
current hate crimes law, sending a signal that violence of any kind is 
unacceptable in our society.
  On Long Island, NY, in November 2000, Michael Ashley was charged with 
allegedly assaulting his roommate. Ashley believed he was gay.
  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

[[Page 11027]]

changing current law, we can change hearts and minds as well.

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