Tina Smith: “as I have done so many times before, I rise today to speak about the need for hate crimes legislation and to introduce…”

“as I have done so many times before, I rise today to speak about the need for hate crimes legislation and to introduce the Local Law Enforcement Enhancement Act of 2005. I first sponsored this bill with my colleague, Senator Kennedy, in 1999 and again in 2001 and 2003. In the Senate, this legislation passed as an amendment to the Commerce, Justice, State appropriations bill in 1999 and the Defense Department authorization bill in 2000 and 2004, but removed in conference in each case. In 2003, it was introduced as an amendment to the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, but did not pass due to a procedural vote. Clearly, hate crimes legislation has strong support in the Senate. Senator Kennedy and I are reintroducing this bill again today because the need for Federal hate crimes legislation is greater than ever. The high prevalence of hate crimes is staggering. Every day there is another America that is attacked or even murdered in an act solely motivated by hate. Hate crimes tear at the very fabric of our Nation by intimidating entire groups of Americans and creating fear across communities. No one in America should be victimized because of who they are, how they look, or what religion they worship. And the Federal Government should be able to come to the aid of those who have been wronged and protect victims.…”