[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 17]
[Senate]
[Page 23567]
[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 September, 19, 1998, two men and two women pulled up to Peter 
Johnson's car in Chicago, IL, and asked him if he was gay. When he 
replied that he was, the four people exited the vehicle and beat the 
man. He was then taken to a local hospital and treated for injuries 
that he had sustained during the attack.
  I believe that our Government's first duty is to defend its citizens, 
in all circumstances, from threats to them at home. The Local Law 
Enforcement Enhancement Act is a major step forward in achieving that 
goal. I believe that by passing this legislation and changing current 
law, we can change hearts and minds as well.

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