[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 85 (Tuesday, June 8, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1041]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2011

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. HENRY A. WAXMAN

                             of california

                    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. WAXMAN. Madam Chair, I rise today in strong support of the 
amendment to repeal the ``Don't Ask, Don't Tell'' policy of our 
nation's military, a discriminatory and self-defeating policy that I 
have opposed from its inception.
  Our restrictive policy undermines our national security. It has 
resulted in the discharge of more than 13,000 trained and qualified men 
and women from our armed forces. It has caused thousands more not to 
re-enlist and countless others not to serve at all.
  That these brave men and women are being denied the opportunity to 
serve their country is a grave injustice. And, we have been so 
misguided in our pursuit of this discriminatory policy that we have 
ignored the very real harm it causes our military personnel at a time 
when our nation is engaged in two wars and the need for talented and 
dedicated service members could not be greater.
  Twenty-five advanced militaries throughout the world, including our 
closest allies such as Israel, Canada, and Britain, allow gays and 
lesbians to serve and none have seen any damage to their readiness. In 
stark contrast, the United States military, because of ``Don't Ask, 
Don't Tell,'' has undermined its readiness by discharging capable 
fighter pilots, infantry officers, translators, and other highly 
trained specialists who are in high demand.
  Admiral Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, has said, ``we 
have in place a policy which forces young men and women to lie about 
who they are in order to defend their fellow citizens.'' Today, many 
Americans defending our nation could be subject to a ``Don't Ask, Don't 
Tell'' dismissal. They should be able to serve without fear that their 
nation will punish them for being open about who they are.
  ``Don't Ask Don't Tell'' is contrary to the values this country 
stands for. America was founded on the principle of human dignity and 
on the belief that all men are created equal--and yet this policy 
perpetuates the absurd notion that some are more equal than others.
  Those who oppose the repeal of ``Don't Ask, Don't Tell'' are using 
the same language used by those who opposed the racial integration of 
our Armed Forces in 1948, fought the inclusion of women, and argued 
against the Civil Rights Act in 1965. The arguments are just as wrong 
today as they were then.
  I want to commend Speaker Pelosi and President Obama for their 
leadership on this issue, and I ask all of my colleagues to support 
repeal. Passage of this amendment will bring an end to this shameful 
inequity.

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