[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 18]
[Senate]
[Page 24721]
[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 October 1, 2003, just east of West Hollywood, a gay man was 
attacked in his home with a bat by a pair of assailants. The two 
assailants took the victims house key after he ran home and left his 
keys in the door as he hurried inside. The victim, who identified his 
attackers as Evar Rivera and Selvan Campos in court, said he received 
14 stitches for his injuries. According to police, anti-gay slurs were 
yelled during the bat attack, and police later classified the attack as 
a hate crime.
  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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