[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 167 (Thursday, October 26, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2041]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             COMMENDS PRESIDENT CLINTON FOR SUPPORTING ENDA

                                 ______


                             HON. SAM FARR

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 25, 1995

  Mr. FARR of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend 
President Clinton for supporting the Employment Non-Discrimination Act 
[ENDA]. This act seeks to extend Federal employment discrimination 
protections currently provided based on race, religion, gender, 
national origin, age, and disability to include sexual orientation 
under title VII of the Civil Rights Act. It does not create any special 
rights for lesbians and gay men.
  The bill prohibits employers from subjecting an individual to 
different standards or treatment because of that individual's sexual 
orientation. Hiring quotas are expressly prohibited. ENDA applies to 
Federal, State and local governments, including U.S. Congress. There 
are certain exemptions to this legislation which include small 
businesses, the Armed Forces, and religious organizations.
  ENDA ensures that all Americans will be able to keep their jobs based 
on their performance and quality of work, regardless of sexual 
orientation. The bill is designed to protect the rights of all 
Americans to participate in the job market without the fear of unfair 
discrimination. Professional skills and job performance should be the 
sole factors by which employers judge their employees.
  I am pleased that the President decided to endorse this very 
important piece of legislation. Currently, discrimination in employment 
on the basis of sexual orientation is legal in 41 States. Forty-one 
States. It shocks me that this blatant discrimination continues in our 
society. Solid, upstanding citizens in all walks of life--businessmen 
and women, doctors, lawyers, teachers, artists, and others--are subject 
to unfair treatment in the workplace simply because of their sexual 
orientations. The fact that sexual orientation has nothing to do with 
the quality of work product does not seem to matter in the face of this 
most onerous discrimination. Legislation such as ENDA is definitely 
needed. While the Federal Government is still trying to pass this bill, 
many local jurisdictions in my State of California have already enacted 
antidiscrimination laws.
  I am an original cosponsor of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act. 
This bill is about ending discrimination in the workplace. Every 
American gay or not, deserves the right to equal opportunity. 
Discrimination continues to exist in our society and must be fought. We 
all must be willing to create jobs for all people who want to work and 
we must dedicate ourselves to end the hate which continues to plague 
our country.

                          ____________________