[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 95 (Tuesday, July 8, 1997)]
[House]
[Pages H4842-H4843]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 GAY AND LESBIAN PRIDE CELEBRATION 1997

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the Speaker's announced policy of 
January 21, 1997, the gentleman from Massachusetts [Mr. Frank] is 
recognized during morning hour debates for 5 minutes.
  Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, during the month of June, 
gay and lesbian people throughout this country celebrated our presence 
in this country. That is a tradition that has now gone on for more than 
20 years, but this year there was one difference. As Herb and I 
prepared to go to New York to participate in the New York celebration, 
I carried with me a statement from the President of the United States 
in which he welcomed the gay and lesbian pride celebrations and 
reaffirmed his commitment, the President's commitment, to fighting 
anti-gay and lesbian prejudice.
  Bill Clinton is the first President in our history to confront this 
prejudice. Unfortunately, by the norms of American political discourse, 
you generally today get criticized by people when they are unhappy and 
ignored when you have done something that they should be applauding.
  President Clinton is entitled to a good deal of praise for his 
willingness to confront one of the enduring prejudices that has 
blighted our ability as a nation to fully realize our constitutional 
ideals. I believe Mr. Speaker, given the historic nature of this 
proclamation which I was pleased to get a copy of from Richard 
Socarides, a very able aid at the White House who worked on these 
issues, I think it is appropriate that the President's statement on Gay 
and Lesbian Pride Celebration 1997 be shared here in this Chamber. So I 
will now, with unanimous consent, proceed to read the President's 
celebration:

       Warm greetings to all those participating in the 1997 Gay 
     and Lesbian Pride Celebration.
       Throughout America's history, we have overcome tremendous 
     challenges by drawing strength from our great diversity. We 
     must never believe that our diversity is a weakness. The 
     talents, contributions and goodwill of people from so many 
     different backgrounds have enriched our national life and 
     have enabled us to fulfill our common hopes and dreams. As we 
     stand at the dawn of a new century, we must all rededicate 
     ourselves to reaching the vital goals of acceptance and 
     inclusion. America's continued success will depend on our 
     ability to understand, appreciate, and care for one another.
       We're not there yet, and that is why our efforts to end 
     discrimination against lesbians and gays are so important. 
     Like each of you, I remain dedicated to ending discrimination 
     and preserving the civil rights of every citizen in our 
     society. We have begun to wage an all-out campaign against 
     hate crimes in America, crimes that are often viciously 
     directed at gay men and lesbians. I have also endorsed and 
     fought for civil rights legislation that would protect gay 
     and lesbian Americans from discrimination. The Employment 
     Nondiscrimination Act now being considered in Congress would 
     put an end to discrimination against gay men and lesbians in 
     the workplace, discrimination that is currently legal in 39 
     States. These efforts reflect our belief in the right of 
     every American to be judged on his or her merits and ability, 
     and to be allowed to contribute to society without facing 
     discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. And they 
     reflect our ongoing fight against bigotry and intolerance in 
     our country and in our hearts.
       My Administration's record of inclusiveness is a strong 
     one, but it is a record to build on. I am proud of the many 
     openly gay men and lesbians who serve with distinction in my 
     Administration, and their impact will

[[Page H4843]]

     continue to be significant in the years ahead. I pledge to 
     you that I will continue striving to foster compassion and 
     understanding, working not simply to tolerate our 
     differences, but to celebrate them.
       Best wishes for a memorable celebration. Bill Clinton.

                              {time}  1300

  Mr. Speaker, I congratulate the President on his willingness to speak 
out. It is consonant with the many actions he has taken in a number of 
areas to ban discrimination and to fight for the right of all 
Americans, as he said, to be judged on their individual merits, without 
being held back by some irrational prejudice.

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