[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 20]
[Senate]
[Page 27070]
[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 22, 1998, in Madison, WI, Johnny L. Ellis attacked a man 
in what police say was a hate motivated crime. The victim, a man 
dressed in woman's clothing, was hit over the head with a full 40-ounce 
bottle of malt liquor, causing the bottle to break. Mr. Ellis then 
stabbed the victim in the stomach with the broken bottle, causing a 
wound that required 55 stitches. Throughout the ordeal Mr. Ellis 
referred to the victim as a ``he-she.''
  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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