[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 21 (Wednesday, February 14, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E199]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       TWENTY-SIXTH ANNUAL CAPITAL PRIDE FESTIVAL JUNE 4-10, 2001

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON

                      of the district of columbia

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 14, 2001

  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to the 26th Annual 
Capital Pride Festival, a celebration of the National Capital Area's 
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgendered communities, their families 
and their friends and their many contributions to the District of 
Columbia.
  Since its beginning in 1975, the Capital Pride Festival has grown 
from a small block party into a seven-day series of events. On Sunday, 
June 10, 2001, 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 2000, over 125 
contingents marched in the parade; more than 150,000 people attended 
the street fair in the shadow of the Capitol; and hundreds of vendors 
and organizations had stalls, booths, and pavilions. The street fair 
featured over five hours of local entertainers and national headline 
performers.
  The citizens of the District of Columbia and I feel a special 
affinity for any Americans who do not share all the rights and 
privileges enjoyed by most citizens of the United States. I note that 
it has been seven years since the District of Columbia had any vote on 
the floor of the House of Representatives, and I remind this body that 
``Taxation Demands Representation'' is deeply resented by the entire 
city.
  My Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual, and Transgendered constituents feel this 
lack more acutely. Every April 15th they know they bear the burdens of 
our democracy, yet they neither have complete access to its power to 
redress the injustices that befall Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual, and 
Transgendered Americans, nor do they have full power to redress those 
special injustices which we suffer in the District of Columbia.
  Congress has not yet protected sexual orientation from 
discrimination. Despite increasing reports of violence and physical 
abuse against Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual, and Transgendered Americans, 
Congress has not enacted protections against hate crimes. Congress must 
pass the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA). Congress must pass 
the Hate Crime Prevention Act. Congress must pass Permanent Partners 
Immigration Act. Congress must return full voting rights to the 
District of Columbia.
  In June, we will celebrate the accomplishments of the Lesbian, Gay, 
Bi-sexual, and Transgendered Community and remember others who live on 
only in our hearts and prayers. As we celebrate and reflect, we must be 
``Proud and Strong Together'' in the fight for full democracy for the 
District of Columbia and full civil rights for the Lesbian, Gay, Bi-
Sexual, and Transgendered persons of this Great Nation.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask the House to join me in saluting the 26th 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.

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