06:37 AM PST on Wednesday, March 31, 2004

Associated Press

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Sen. Gordon Smith said Tuesday he will again introduce a measure to expand federal penalties for acts of violence against homosexuals and other minorities.

U.S. Sen. Gordon Smith, R-Ore. (kgw.com File Photo)

"A government's first duty is to protect and defend its citizens. Our laws should do that by reflecting our highest values," Smith said. "This bill sends a signal that violence of any kind is unacceptable. When someone is targeted because of who they are, it is an attack on their entire community, and no less an act of terrorism."

Smith, R-Ore., said he and Sen. Ted Kennedy, D-Mass., will introduce an amendment to the welfare reauthorization bill being debated in the Senate.

The amendment would broaden federal jurisdiction to include so-called hate crimes that cause death or bodily injury and add sexual orientation, gender and disability to the covered categories of hate crimes.

Smith and Kennedy have sponsored hate crimes legislation since 1999.