[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 17]
[Senate]
[Page 23200]
[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.
  John Solis was attacked and beaten after a gay-pride event in 
Brooklyn, NY on June 29, 2004. A dozen people shouted anti-gay slurs at 
Solis. When he turned to confront them they attacked him with baseball 
bats. Solis's wrist was broken and he was hit in the head. The police 
were slow to respond and ineffective.
  I believe that the 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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