[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 140 (Tuesday, September 20, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1666]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    THE END OF DON'T ASK, DON'T TELL

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                          HON. EARL BLUMENAUER

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 20, 2011

  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, today, we move one step closer towards 
full equality by ending the immoral and irresponsible practice of 
discriminating against courageous Americans who want to serve their 
country. I am proud to have voted again and again for Don't Ask Don't 
Tell's repeal because I know--and the military has told us--that ending 
this policy will strengthen our armed forces.
  A comprehensive report from the Defense Department found that of the 
400,000 service members and 150,000 military spouses, 70 percent of 
military personnel thought the repeal would be positive, mixed, or no 
consequence. This is a remarkable finding, and makes the policy seem 
all the more indefensible for the more than 14,000 service members who 
have been discharged.
  Brave Americans have served and sacrificed in silence for years while 
the military enforced a discriminatory and harmful policy. Today this 
policy is officially a thing of the past, a relic of a different time.
  The road to equality is long, winding, and will have many bumps along 
the way. Today, I have the 14,000 discharged service members in my 
thoughts as we celebrate the end of an era of discrimination. Tomorrow, 
we will get back to work, fighting for the Employment and Student Non 
Discrimination Acts, the Safe Schools Improvement Act, and the Respect 
for Marriage Act that will overturn DOMA.

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