Monday, May 15, 2006

From The Congressional Record:

LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT ENHANCEMENT ACT OF 2005 -- (Senate - May 15, 2006)

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.

In the summer of 1988 in Orange County, CA, a group of six youths went on a spree of beatings that police say was targeted at gay men. Robert Joyce testified that while walking along a stretch of coast popular to gay people, he was attacked by the youths. According to police reports, Joyce was beaten for several minutes, including being hit in the head with a 2-inch metal pipe. He required 80 stitches to mend his wounds. During the attack the attackers yelled, "Kill him! kill him! kill the faggot!" The group of youths attacked several other gay men in the area before being apprehended by police.

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.