[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 22 (Monday, February 22, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E189]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     INTRODUCING A RESOLUTION EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF THE HOUSE OF 
   REPRESENTATIVES THAT ``DON'T ASK, DON'T TELL'' BE REPEALED IN 2010

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                         HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, February 22, 2010

  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce a 
resolution that recognizes the Senate Armed Services Committee's 
hearing on Don't Ask, Don't Tell, and the testimony of Defense 
Secretary Robert M. Gates and Admiral Michael G. Mullen, Chairman of 
the Joint Chiefs of Staff, at the hearing, as an important first step 
towards equality in the Armed Forces. Furthermore, my resolution 
expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that this 
discriminatory law should be repealed in 2010.
  There are an estimated 66,000 gay and lesbian service members 
currently on active-duty, serving in all capacities around the world to 
protect our nation and advance our interests. The misguided policy 
known as Don't Ask, Don't Tell is yet another enemy to fight at a time 
when we are strained in two wars. In 2009 alone, we lost 428 service 
members to Don't Ask, Don't Tell at the estimated cost of over $12 
million. We cannot allow the strength and unity of our military to 
suffer from a destructive force within. Don't Ask, Don't Tell is 
irreconcilable with the values that our great nation was built on and 
the values that our Armed Forces embody.
  The Senate Armed Services Committee's recent hearing on Don't Ask, 
Don't Tell was indeed historic, being the first Senate hearing on the 
issue in 17 years. My resolution recognizes the great significance of 
Defense Secretary Gates and Admiral Mullen's testimonies, which sent a 
clear signal across the nation and through the military ranks that 
discrimination is not a value of our Armed Forces. Furthermore, it 
urges the Pentagon working group to deliver an implementation plan to 
Congress as soon as possible while ensuring that the needs and concerns 
of all service members are taken into consideration, and strongly 
recommends that the Senate Armed Services Committee and House Armed 
Services Committee's Subcommittee on Military Personnel include active-
duty service members in their upcoming hearings regarding Don't Ask, 
Don't Tell.
  While a majority of the American people support open service by gay 
and lesbian members of the Armed Forces, there are those who would like 
to see the policy kept in place. Don't Ask, Don't Tell should be 
repealed swiftly and replaced with a policy of non-discrimination and 
inclusion once and for all.
  Madam Speaker, the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell is long overdue. 
It is my sincere hope that President Obama, the Department of Defense, 
the U.S. military, and Congress will do everything in their power to 
allow gay and lesbian Americans to serve openly as soon as possible. I 
urge my colleagues to support this important resolution and to join me 
in working to bring about the full and final repeal of Don't Ask, Don't 
Tell this year.

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