[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 110 (Wednesday, August 1, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1485]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                 THE EMPLOYMENT NON-DISCRIMINATION ACT

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                        HON. RICHARD A. GEPHARDT

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 31, 2001

  Mr. GEPHARDT. Mr. Speaker, I strongly support the Employment Non-
Discrimination Act (ENDA) which is being reintroduced today. This bill 
will make sure that individuals have protections against workplace 
discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. Today, there is no 
federal law to fight discrimination of this kind. This is unacceptable. 
Under current law, law-abiding, hard-working Americans can be denied a 
job, fired or discriminated against in other ways simply because they 
are or are perceived to be gay or lesbian.
  ENDA will extend the promise of equal opportunity and civil rights to 
more Americans. Twelve states have such laws on the books. The private 
sector realizes the need and value of these workplace protections; in 
fact, more than 50 percent of Fortune 500 companies have 
nondiscrimination policies which include sexual orientation. And an 
overwhelming number of Americans support equal workplace rights for gay 
and lesbian Americans.
  This legislation says simply that discrimination in employment 
because of sexual orientation is illegal, and will not be tolerated. 
This is strong, badly-needed legislation for countless Americans who 
have suffered, or who are vulnerable to discrimination because they do 
not have protections similar to those afforded millions of their fellow 
citizens. I strongly hope that we will debate and pass this bill this 
year.

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