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Local Law Enforcement Enhancement Act of 2005

Date: Sept. 15, 2005
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Criminal Justice


LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT ENHANCEMENT ACT OF 2005 -- (Senate - September 15, 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 1, 2005, a man was beaten outside his home in Destin, FL. According to police, the apparent motivation for the attack was that the man was gay.

I would note that yesterday in the House, hate crimes legislation was passed in a bipartisan vote. I strongly believe that we must also move similar legislation in the Senate. In the months ahead I look forward to working with Senator Kennedy as we continue our work in passing a hate crimes bill.

http://thomas.loc.gov/

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