[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 80 (Tuesday, June 10, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1176]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   EMPLOYMENT NON-DISCRIMINATION ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. RICHARD A. GEPHARDT

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 10, 1997

  Mr. GEPHARDT. Mr. Speaker, today, I am proud to be among 150 of my 
colleagues in the House of Representatives who have joined to introduce 
the Employment Non-Discrimination Act [ENDA] of 1997. This legislation 
will extend to gay and lesbian Americans the same employment 
protections guaranteed to all other Americans without creating special 
rights or quotas.
  It is intolerable that in 39 States hard working women and men can be 
fired or turned down for a job just because of their sexual 
orientation. No woman should have to worry about receiving a pink slip 
because she is gay. No man should be denied a position or a promotion 
simply because he is gay.
  America is blessed with a diverse people and America works best when 
everyone is allowed to contribute to his or her fullest potential. As a 
nation, we take pride in our sense of fairness, and in fairness to all 
Americans it is time to put an end to all forms of employment 
discrimination. The time has come for the Congress of the United States 
to provide assurance to every American that his or her opportunity to 
get a job and to keep a job will be based on their abilities, not on 
their sexual orientation. Almost 70 percent of American voters believe 
that is the right thing to do and Congress should act accordingly.
  Last year, ENDA supporters were heartened by the near passage of the 
bill in the Senate. That the Senate vote on ENDA was 49-50, coupled 
with the fact that today there are 150 original ENDA cosponsors in the 
House--compared to 139 cosponsors in the last Congress--is proof that 
progress is indeed being made.
  Increasing support for and ultimately enacting ENDA will build upon 
our Nation's legacy of ensuring fairness in the workplace. We have 
outlawed employment discrimination based on race, gender, age, 
religion, or disability. Let us now take the next important step. I 
urge my colleagues to lend their support to this legislation so we can 
make it law in the 105th Congress.

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