[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 145 (Thursday, October 8, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2465]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                REPEAL THE DON'T ASK, DON'T TELL POLICY

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. SHELLEY BERKLEY

                               of nevada

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 29, 2009

  Ms. BERKLEY. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank Congressman Murphy 
for providing me with the opportunity to speak on this important issue. 
As a cosponsor of the Military Readiness Enhancement Act, I fully 
support the repeal of the unjust, unnecessary, and unsound ``Don't Ask, 
Don't Tell'' policy. I believe we must reject current practices that 
have institutionalized discrimination against many valuable members of 
our armed services for too long. Instead, we must establish a new 
policy of nondiscrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.
  ``Don't Ask, Don't Tell'' is simply unjust. It flies in the face of 
the fundamental American value of equality for all. No individual, 
including those in our armed forces, should be discriminated against 
based on his or her sexual orientation. Members of our armed services 
have fought honorably to protect our safety and freedom, so the least 
we can do in return is to fight to protect their freedom and equality 
as well. My hometown of Las Vegas includes Nellis Air Force Base, one 
of the premier Air Force facilities in the U.S., and I believe the 
courageous men and women who serve there deserve to be treated with 
equality and respect, regardless of their sexual orientation.
  The ``Don't Ask, Don't Tell'' policy is also completely unnecessary. 
The vast majority of Americans believe our troops deserve the 
opportunity to serve with honesty and honor. And most importantly, a 
majority of servicemembers have said they would have no reservations 
about serving alongside gay and lesbian troops, proving the problems 
this policy supposedly prevents are not, in fact, problems at all.
  Not only is this practice unjust and unnecessary, it is also unsound. 
Our military should not fire valuable servicemembers simply for being 
gay, particularly during a time of war when we need every American who 
is willing and able to serve. Furthermore, repealing ``Don't Ask, Don't 
Tell'' would increase, not undercut, unit cohesion by fostering 
openness and trust among troops.
  Ultimately, ``Don't Ask, Don't Tell'' does nothing to contribute to 
our national security. In reality, it only undermines the strength and 
integrity of our military system. I believe this practice should be 
repealed immediately, not only for the benefit of our armed forces, but 
for the safety of Nevada and our Nation as a whole.

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