[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 12]
[Senate]
[Page 17036]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      MATTHEW SHEPARD ACT OF 2007

  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 May 12, 2007 in New York, NY, Omar Willock attacked Roberto 
Duncanson, a gay man, on the street in Crown Heights. Willock allegedly 
yelled anti-gay slurs at Duncanson when they passed each other on the 
street. Later, Willock encountered Duncanson again and started a fist 
fight, eventually stabbing Duncanson. Willock is being held without 
bail and is charged with a 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 Matthew 
Shepard 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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