[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 172 (Tuesday, December 21, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2224-E2225]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                DON'T ASK, DON'T TELL REPEAL ACT OF 2010

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. LAURA RICHARDSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 15, 2010

  Ms. RICHARDSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Senate 
Amendment to H.R. 2965 and do so proudly. I support the Senate 
Amendment because I stand on the side of our military and all who have 
sacrificed for our freedom, and that is why I support the repeal of the 
``Don't Ask, Don't Tell'', DADT, policy which, since 1993 has resulted 
in the discharge of over 13,000 American servicemen and women and cost 
our taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars in wasted funds. DADT 
denies equality to thousands of our soldiers and dissuades thousands 
more from enlisting in the defense of our country.
  I believe that all Americans willing to risk their lives in the 
defense of our country and obey its laws should be allowed to do so. 
Both our military and civilian leaders support the repeal of DADT. It 
is our responsibility to ensure that this change is initiated at a 
gradual, manageable pace so as to avoid any unnecessary disruption.
  Defense Secretary Gates and Admiral Mullen, Chairman of the Joint 
Chiefs of Staff, understand that an orderly transition is critical to 
minimizing disruption in the ranks, ensuring we maintain our strength 
level and not compromise national security. I applaud Secretary Gates' 
leadership and initiative, beginning with the landmark report he 
commissioned in March 2010 which included a survey of over 115,000 
enlisted personnel and 44,000 military family members. In conjunction 
with this report, the Department of Defense prepared an implementation 
plan that will provide a smooth transition with minimal dislocation. 
The Pentagon stands ready to implement this plan, and I am proud that 
Congress is acting to move it forward.
  In the 17 years since DADT was adopted, there has been a remarkable 
change in public opinion regarding the acceptance of gays and lesbians 
serving in the armed forces. This change has been so dramatic that the 
repeal of DADT no longer represents a subject of controversy for the 
large majority of Americans. Indeed, repealing DADT brings public 
policy in line with informed popular sentiment, which is nearly always 
a positive good.
  The Pentagon's report documents one of the largest surveys of the 
attitudes of military personnel ever conducted. Its key finding is that 
the sexual orientation of their peers is not a matter of concern to 
most service members. Nearly 7 in 10, 69 percent, of respondents 
believed that they had already served with a gay or lesbian in their 
unit, and it did not undermine morale or military readiness. The report 
also finds that, if properly implemented, the repeal of DADT will have 
no adverse affect on unit cohesion or morale. These attitudes are in 
line with those of most Americans, who recognize that the military 
needs every patriotic, able-bodied recruit during a time of war.
  Mr. Speaker, opponents of the measure still claim that repealing DADT 
is ``social engineering'' that will undermine morale and erode the 
fighting force of our nation's military. Their claim is refuted by the 
empirical study conducted by the Pentagon. It is also interesting to 
note that similar arguments were raised in opposition to racial 
integration and the enlistment of women in the armed services. The 
critics were wrong then and they are wrong now. The action we take 
today also brings us in line with the long-standing practice of our 
NATO allies as well as that of Israel, a nation rooted in faith that 
would do nothing to compromise the security of its people.
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud to support this legislation and urge all my 
colleagues to do likewise. I look forward to the moment when President 
Obama signs this bill into law, which will at once strengthen our armed 
forces and ensure that all those who want to defend our freedom are 
given the opportunity.

[[Page E2225]]



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