[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 7]
[Senate]
[Page 9110]
[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 June 9, 2005, Dwan Prince, a gay man, was attacked by his neighbor 
Steven Pomie near his Brooklyn, NY, home. During the attack, Pomie 
shouted antigay slurs as he punched and kicked Prince in the head until 
he was unconscious. According to police, Pomie knew that Prince was a 
gay man prior to the attack.
  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.

                          ____________________