[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 26 (Thursday, March 9, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E269]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     THE SILVER ANNIVERSARY CAPITAL PRICE FESTIVAL, JUNE 2-11, 2000

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                       HON. ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON

                      of the district of columbia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 9, 2000

  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to the 25th Annual 
Capital Pride Festival, a celebration of and for the National Capital 
Area's lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered communities and their 
friends.
  Since its beginning in 1975, the Capital Pride Festival has grown 
from a small block party into a nine-day series of events. On Sunday, 
June 11, 2000, the Festival will culminate in a large downtown parade 
and a magnificent Pennsylvania Avenue street fair attended by people of 
all backgrounds from the District and the region. In 1999, more than 
200 contingents marched in the parade; more than 200,000 people 
attended the street fair in the shadow of the Capitol; and hundreds of 
vendors and organizations set up stalls, booths and pavilions. The 
street fair featured more than five hours of local entertainers and 
national headline performers.
  Last year, when I recognized this celebration in the House, it had 
been 35 years since the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Yet 
another year has passed, and despite evidence of pervasive prejudice in 
employment, Congress has not yet protected sexual orientation from 
discrimination. Far worse, in the fact of many reports of violence and 
physical abuse, Congress has not yet enacted protection against abuse 
solely because of a person's sexual orientation. Congress must pass the 
Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA). Congress must pass the Hate 
Crimes Prevention Act and, now, Congress must pass the Permenant 
Partners Immigration Act of 2000.
  In this new millennium, let us achieve the American goal of 
eliminating discrimination based on sexual orientation, unite loved 
ones, celebrate the accomplishments of the Gay and Lesbian Community, 
and remember those who we have lost.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask the House to join me in saluting the 25th Annual 
Capital Pride Festival, its organizers, the Whitman-Walker Clinic and 
One-in-Ten, its sponsors, and the volunteers, whose dedicated and 
creative energy make the Pride Festival possible. May we truly have 
``Pride 25.''

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