[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 142 (Thursday, September 22, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1685]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




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

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. JANICE D. SCHAKOWSKY

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 22, 2011

  Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to mark the end of the 
discriminatory Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy, and to celebrate that 
qualified men and women who have the desire to serve their country can 
no longer be denied simply because of sexual orientation.
  Don't Ask, Don't Tell limited the ability of our armed forces to 
recruit and retain talented Americans. Hundreds of men and women with 
critical abilities, including language skills, have been discharged 
under this policy.
  Meanwhile, many of our closest allies have demonstrated that allowing 
open service does not harm unit cohesion or military performance.
  Most importantly, Don't Ask, Don't Tell institutionalized 
discrimination in our military. It was a policy that forced men and 
women to lie about their identity in order to serve their country.
  As of this week, no one is prohibited from serving the country they 
love because of whom they love.

                          ____________________