[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 141 (Wednesday, September 21, 2011)]
[House]
[Page H6278]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               GOOD RIDDANCE TO ``DON'T ASK, DON'T TELL''

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
California (Ms. Woolsey) for 5 minutes.
  Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, yesterday was a truly historic day in our 
country's struggle for equal rights for all people. Leaders of the 
United States Army sent a notice to soldiers serving around the globe 
that simply said the following: ``Today marks the end of `Don't Ask, 
Don't Tell.' The law is repealed. From this day forward, gay and 
lesbian soldiers may serve in our Army with the dignity and respect 
they deserve. Our rules, regulations, and politics will apply uniformly 
without regard to sexual orientation, which is a personal and private 
matter.''
  Mr. Speaker, 18 years after this hideous policy was first 
implemented, it is now gone. And the thousands of soldiers who were 
shamefully discharged under Don't Ask, Don't Tell may apply for 
reenlistment.
  To the men and women whose service and sacrifice have made us so 
proud, we say, as of yesterday: ``You no longer have to live a lie.'' 
To them, we say: ``You no longer have to choose between your personhood 
and your patriotism.'' To them, who have had the courage to do right by 
America, we now say: ``Your Nation now has the courage to do what is 
right by you.''
  Air Force Lieutenant Josh Seefried, a leader among gay and lesbian 
servicemembers, describes the oppressive nature of this policy in this 
way. He said: ``It consumes your thought process, it consumes your 
future, because of the fear of getting caught.''
  Mr. Speaker, it is incomprehensible to me that anyone--in particular, 
brave, selfless members of our military--should live any day in fear of 
``getting caught.'' This step is hugely welcomed, and it is long 
overdue.

                              {time}  1030

  ``Don't ask, don't tell'' was opposed by an overwhelming majority of 
Americans because it violated the values we claim to stand for as a 
Nation. It was not only tearing at our moral fabric; it was undermining 
our military readiness and national security as well. At a time when 
we're asking so much of our servicemembers, putting them on the front 
lines of two wars, we owe them, at the very least, and we have finally 
brought them the dignity of a discrimination-free workplace.
  I salute President Obama, and I salute our military brass for their 
leadership in reversing this injustice. I salute the Members of 
Congress, Democrat and Republican, who voted for the repeal. And of 
course we all owe a debt of gratitude to those who serve with honor and 
integrity, those who defended American rights and freedoms even when 
America wouldn't afford them the same rights and freedoms.
  So, Mr. Speaker, now there will be no sanctioned bigotry or 
homophobia in the Armed Forces of the greatest country on Earth. Our 
military will accept everyone who demonstrates their fitness to serve. 
Their sexuality will be irrelevant. They may be as open about it or as 
discreet about it as they choose.
  Good riddance to ``don't ask, don't tell.'' Our country will be 
stronger, safer, and fairer without it. And while we support our troops 
by eliminating this wrong-minded policy, let's take the next step and 
support all of our troops, regardless of their sexual orientation, by 
bringing them home from Iraq and Afghanistan.

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