[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 141 (Wednesday, September 21, 2011)]
[House]
[Pages H6283-H6284]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                OFFICIAL REPEAL OF DON'T ASK, DON'T TELL

  (Ms. LEE asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, today, I would like to thank my colleagues in 
the LGBT Equality Caucus, Leader Pelosi, Congresswoman Baldwin, 
Congressman Frank, everyone today as we celebrate the end of a 
discriminatory era against gay and lesbian servicemembers in America 
with the official repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell.
  For too long, this failed policy unfairly denied fundamental human 
rights to highly qualified individuals who wish to serve our country. 
As a vice-chair of the congressional LGBT

[[Page H6284]]

Equality Caucus, I am pleased that the tireless work of our 
congressional colleagues, the administration, and the LGBT community 
resulted in the end of Don't Ask, Don't Tell.
  Although this is a remarkable step forward, we still have a long way 
to go to attain full equality. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and 
transgendered people continue to be targets of discrimination in our 
policies, our laws, and our society. I have always said that 
discrimination is un-American, and we as a Nation must continue to 
fight for policies that bring us closer to fulfilling the principles we 
espouse.
  I encourage all of us to stay committed to ensuring that sexual 
orientation and gender identity are no longer a cause for inequality.

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