Robert Smith: “I wish to say what is in my heart and why I as a Republican stand here in support of a Kennedy amendment on hate crimes.…”

“I wish to say what is in my heart and why I as a Republican stand here in support of a Kennedy amendment on hate crimes. On June 7, 1998, when James Byrd, Jr., was dragged to death on a dusty Texas road, something happened to me. I was horrified beyond my ability to express it. On October 12, 1998, when Matthew Shepard was beaten to death on a Wyoming prairie, hung to a fence to die, something happened to me. I, again, had no ability to express the outrage and horror that I felt of such conduct and wondered: What is it in the heart of humankind that could perpetrate such an action upon a fellow human being? These were people who were murdered not for their property. They were murdered because of who they were. One was a black man and the other was a gay man. I think much of America felt the shock and revulsion that I did. Many of us began to look around and ask: What can I do in my sphere of influence? How can I help to see that this never happens again in my country? So I was attracted to the whole issue of hate crimes. This is a very controversial thing with many Senators. It is controversial because, frankly, of one clause. It is controversial because it includes a new category: ``. . . or sexual orientation.''”