[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 19]
[Senate]
[Page 25863]
[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 November, 7, 2005, in New York City, NY, Kyle Spidle was attacked 
near the Monster Bar where he worked. The attack began when two men 
began yelling from a vehicle at Mr. Spidle about the way he was walking 
down the street. When Mr. Spidle yelled back the pair of men got out of 
the car and begin to beat him. According to police, the pair hurled 
homophobic epithets at Mr. Spidle as they beat him
  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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