[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 95 (Wednesday, July 20, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: July 20, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
           THE FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF ``DON'T ASK, DON'T TELL''

                                 ______


                          HON. JERROLD NADLER

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 20, 1994

  Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, yesterday was the first anniversary of the 
introduction of the so-called, ``Don't Ask, Don't Tell, Don't Pursue'' 
policy regarding lesbian and gay soldiers in the U.S. military. One 
year later, it is clear that this policy is an abysmal failure. The new 
policy has actually made things worse. Gay and lesbian servicemembers 
who were lulled into a false sense of security when the policy was 
first issued have had their fondest hopes betrayed.
  Despite this new policy, the services are asking, are pursuing, and 
are discharging. In fiscal year 1993, during which this policy was 
promulgated, the number of discharges for homosexual conduct actually 
went up. A recent article in the New Republic tells the story of an Air 
Force airman who was turned in by a fellow airman, because the second 
had intercepted the first's private correspondence to a civilian 
friend. He hadn't told, he wasn't asked--at least not at first--but he 
was pursued all the same. A growing body of evidence collected by the 
Servicemembers Legal Defense Network indicates that this kind of story 
is not at all uncommon.
  The argument in favor of continuing the ban is simply a rehash of the 
old myth that some spouted in the 1940's when they wanted to prevent 
African-Americans from serving their country. Then as now, they argued, 
against all evidence, that the military cannot function unless the 
government panders to the intolerance, prejudice, and fear of the 
majority. But this is wrong. In fact, soldiers spying on their 
comrades' private lives does more to undermine unit cohesion than a 
platoon of lesbian and gay soldiers. The loss of skilled officers and 
enlisted personnel has severely weakened our readiness, and wasted 
taxpayer dollars. The policy is also plainly unconstitutional. As the 
District of Columbia Court of Appeals said last year in the Joseph 
Steffan case, ``The Constitution does not allow government to 
subordinate a class of persons simply because others do not like 
them.''
  This policy is unconstitutional. Let people who want to serve their 
country serve their country. We should mark the first anniversary of 
Don't Ask, Don't Tell by revoking it. A policy that indulges and 
condones discrimination and weakens rather than strengthens our Armed 
Forces is an unworthy policy.

                          ____________________