[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 83 (Friday, May 28, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E988]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2011

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 27, 2010

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 5136) to 
     authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2011 for military 
     activities of the Department of Defense, to prescribe 
     military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for 
     other purposes:

  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Madam Chair, I rise today to clarify why I 
was unable to vote on Thursday, May 27 and Friday, May 28 in favor of 
the so-called Murphy Amendment and the National Defense Authorization 
Act for Fiscal Year 2011, respectively. I would also like to reaffirm 
in the strongest possible terms my support for repealing the law known 
as ``Don't Ask, Don't Tell,'' which prohibits gay and lesbian service 
members from serving openly, as soon as possible.
  As you know, Congressman Patrick Murphy's amendment, which passed in 
the House of Representatives by a vote of 234-194, provides for a 
process to be set in place to implement the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't 
Tell as soon as the Pentagon completes its review of the issue and 
President Obama, Defense Secretary Gates, and Admiral Mullen, Chairman 
of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, certify that repeal implementation will 
not negatively affect our military.
  During the Rules Committee's meeting on Wednesday to consider 
amendments to the Defense Authorization bill, I openly declared my 
support for the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell and for Congressman 
Murphy's amendment.
  Unfortunately, I had an official trip in my capacity as Co-Chairman 
of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (U.S. Helsinki 
Commission) that was scheduled prior to the vote. The consideration of 
amendments to the Defense Authorization bill on the House floor was 
such that I was unable to vote. Had I been present and not on official 
travel, I would have voted in favor of the Murphy amendment's 
inclusion, as well as in favor of the final Defense Authorization bill.
  I commend my colleagues, Congressman Murphy, Senator Lieberman, and 
Senator Levin, for their leadership on this repeal effort. As I have 
said time and again, Don't Ask, Don't Tell threatens our national 
security and costs us millions of dollars each year to kick out 
dedicated and highly-skilled service members because of their sexual 
orientation and to retrain new ones.
  I am also heartened to hear that our colleagues in the Senate Armed 
Services Committee voted 16-12 to bring Senator Lieberman's companion 
amendment to repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell to the Senate floor along 
with the Defense Authorization bill for consideration.
  It is indeed a historic day for our military, the American people, 
and our nation. What should have happened 17 years ago is now closer 
than ever before. By passing the Murphy amendment along with the 
Defense Authorization bill, the House of Representatives has pledged to 
fulfill its promise of upholding the values for which the United States 
stands by allowing gay and lesbian Americans to serve openly in the 
military.
  As we celebrate this victory, we are reminded of the long battle that 
has brought us to this point. I would be terribly remiss if I did not 
acknowledge the hard work and sacrifices of countless service members 
and veterans, many of whose lives have been negatively impacted by this 
bigoted law, as well as those military and policy leaders, advocacy 
organizations, and everyday Americans who have taken a stand against 
discrimination.
  Madam Chair, I am eternally grateful to the brave men and women in 
our Armed Forces who protect this nation and the American people each 
and every single day and look forward to Don't Ask, Don't Tell being 
repealed once and for all.

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