[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 17]
[Senate]
[Page 23511]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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             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 8, 2005, in Montrose, CO, two men were charged in the 
murder of Kevin Hale in what police are saying may be classified as a 
hate crime. Todd Fisk and Adam Hernandez got into a physical 
altercation with Hale. During the altercation, Fiske grabbed Hale by 
the neck and strangled him to death. According to police, Hale had 
received a number of physical threats from Fiske due to his sexual 
orientation.
  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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