[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 11]
[Senate]
[Page 14711]
[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 July 15, 2006, in Chicago, IL, a gay man was attacked by Marquell 
Shepard after leaving a local bar. Shepard approached the man, berating 
him with sexually derogatory slurs. Shepard then physically assaulted 
him and fled the scene. He was soon picked up by police and charged 
with a felony hate crime.
  I believe that the Government's first duty is to defend its citizens, 
to defend them against the harms that come out of hate. The Local Law 
Enforcement Enhancement Act is a symbol that can become substance. I 
believe that by passing this legislation and changing current law, we 
can change hearts and minds as well.

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