[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 14]
[Senate]
[Page 19621]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




             LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT ENHANCEMENT ACT OF 2005

  Mr. SMITH. Mr. President, I rise today to speak about the need for 
hate crimes legislation. Each Congress, Senator Kennedy and I introduce 
hate crimes legislation that would add new categories to current hate 
crimes law, sending a signal that violence of any kind is unacceptable 
in our society. Likewise, each Congress I have come to the floor to 
highlight a separate hate crime that has occurred in our country.
  On August 15, 2004, Joel Robles was stabbed 20 times in Fresno, CA. 
The apparent motivation for the stabbing was that he was a 
transgendered woman. Robles' body was later found inside his apartment 
where he had died, according to police.
  I believe that the Government's first duty is to defend its citizens, 
to defend them against the harms that are born 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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