[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 142 (Thursday, September 22, 2011)]
[House]
[Page H6357]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


 THE RESPECT FOR MARRIAGE ACT AND THE END OF ``DON'T ASK, DON'T TELL''

  (Mr. PRICE of North Carolina asked and was given permission to 
address the House for 1 minute.)
  Mr. PRICE of North Carolina. Madam Speaker, the end this week of 
Don't Ask, Don't Tell shows us that we have nothing to fear and can 
only gain by extending liberty and equality to all of our citizens. 
Brave young men and women will not be denied the opportunity to serve 
their country, and soldiers will be judged on their ability to do their 
jobs, not on their sexual orientation.
  This is a great step forward, but some seem eager to step back. In 
North Carolina, there is a ballot initiative to amend the State 
constitution to ban same-sex marriage. This seems to be more about 
turning out the Republican political base than about marriage, and many 
of our businesses say it would hinder their attempts to treat employees 
fairly. We must defeat it.
  At the national level, we also have an anachronistic law, the so-
called Defense of Marriage Act. This should be repealed. Repeal would 
ensure that marriages entered into in one State will be recognized by 
other States. This year, I have again cosponsored repeal and don't 
intend to rest until DOMA is erased from the U.S. Code.
  Madam Speaker, history will judge these efforts at discrimination 
harshly. It is time for America's political leaders, including Members 
of this body, to catch up.

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