[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 18]
[Senate]
[Page 24351]
[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 January 7, 2005, Robert Martin, an openly gay man, was found 
severely beaten at an abandoned school in Ashburn, GA. Before the 
beating Martin was being taunted about his sexual orientation by the 
man who later attacked him. The man that attacked Martin is still being 
sought by police.
  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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