[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 80 (Wednesday, June 9, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1083]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            HONORING THE 29TH ANNUAL CAPITAL PRIDE FESTIVAL

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON

                      of the district of columbia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 9, 2004

  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to the 29th Annual 
Capital Pride Festival, a celebration of the National Capital Area's 
Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender (GLBT) communities, their 
families and friends.
  Since its beginning in 1975, the Capital Pride Festival has grown 
from a small block party to a seven-day series of events. This year, 
the Pride Parade will be held on June 12th and will culminate in a 
Street Festival on Pennsylvania Avenue, attended by people of all 
backgrounds from the District and the region. To emphasize the 
universality of human rights and the importance of enacting 
congressional bills addressed to the human rights of the GLBT 
community, I have marched in the Pride parades since coming to 
Congress. I have seen the festival and parade grow bigger and better 
each year and with it the spread of support of equal rights for this 
community.
  This year's theme of ``Pride + Vote = Power'' holds special meaning 
for the citizens of the District of Columbia and its GLBT community in 
particular. It has been nine years since the District of Columbia lost 
the first vote we ever won on the floor of the House of 
Representatives, the delegate vote in the Committee of the Whole. That 
vote was retracted when the Republicans assumed control of the House. 
Our city of nearly 600,000 residents, the only jurisdiction in the 
United States subject to ``Taxation Without Representation,'' is 
entitled to that vote now and to the full voting representation that 
has always been our birthright.
  American citizens who live in our nation's capital, have fought in 
every American war, including the present war in Iraq and Afghanistan, 
are taxed without full representation in the House and do not have any 
representatives in the Senate. The joy of the Capital Pride Festival 
contrasts with the lot of GLBT soldiers who have volunteered to protect 
our country with their lives and must serve in silence and without the 
open support of their chosen families and communities, neither asking 
nor telling.
  Neither here nor elsewhere has Congress protected sexual orientation 
from discrimination in our country. Despite increasing reports of 
violence and physical abuse against Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and 
Transgender Americans, Congress has not enacted protections against 
hate crimes. Congress must pass the Hate Crimes Prevention Act. 
Congress must pass the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA). 
Congress must pass the Permanent Partners Immigration Act. And Congress 
must pass the No Taxation Without Representation Act.
  In June we will rejoice in the accomplishments of the Gay, Lesbian, 
Bisexual and Transgender community. We will also remember those who 
live on only in our hearts and prayers. As we gather to celebrate and 
reflect, we must continue the fight for full democracy in the District 
of Columbia and full civil rights for the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and 
Transgender people in the United States of America.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask the House to join me in saluting the 29th Annual 
Capital Pride Festival, its presenter, Whitman-Walker Clinic, and the 
sponsors and volunteers whose dedicated and creative energy make the 
Capital Pride Festival possible.

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