[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 46 (Thursday, March 14, 2019)]
[House]
[Pages H2736-H2737]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    EQUALITY FOR THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the Speaker's announced policy of 
January 3, 2019, the gentleman from New Hampshire (Mr. Pappas) is 
recognized for 60 minutes as the designee of the majority leader.


                             General Leave

  Mr. PAPPAS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include 
extraneous material on the subject of my Special Order.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from New Hampshire?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. PAPPAS. Mr. Speaker, there are times in Washington that go beyond 
the mundane, times when you can feel the pull of public sentiment and 
the weight of history, times that aren't political but become personal. 
For some of us who serve here and for millions more around the country, 
this is one of those times.
  Yesterday, I was proud to join so many Members of this House to 
introduce the Equality Act. This bill will ensure full equality under 
the law for the LGBTQ community, an essential step, given that 
Americans can still be

[[Page H2737]]

fired or discriminated against in nearly 30 States.
  We have made marked progress over recent decades, no doubt, but full 
equality for LGBTQ Americans still lies somewhere over the horizon.
  We are not asking for anything more or anything less than any other 
American enjoys. We are asking to be treated equally, and we are asking 
for it right now.
  I grew up afraid about whether I would be accepted by the world 
around me and convinced I wouldn't be able to live a full life. This 
is, unfortunately, a reality today for too many LGBTQ Americans. Too 
many still live in fear of sharing their truth or telling their 
stories. Too many contend with injustice because of who they are or 
whom they love.
  There is injustice when more than 4 million workers could face the 
risk of employment discrimination in this country.
  There is injustice when more than 2 million students are left without 
protections against bullying, harassment, and roadblocks on their path 
to an education.
  There is injustice when nearly 7 million Americans could be subject 
to discrimination in public accommodations.
  There is injustice when 5\1/2\ million Americans could be denied 
equal opportunities to secure housing or credit.
  This is heartbreaking. This is not what America stands for, and we 
can do something about it.
  We can take action to support the values and the Constitution of this 
Nation.
  We can take action that will protect the safety and well-being of 
millions and tell everyone, particularly the LGBTQ youth, that they can 
reach their full potential.
  We can take action and pass the Equality Act.
  The Equality Act will end these injustices and establish equality 
under the law by enshrining sexual orientation and gender identity 
language into the Civil Rights Act, the Fair Housing Act, the Equal 
Credit Opportunity Act, and the Jury Selection and Services Act.
  We must address this at the Federal level. Equality and human dignity 
are not concepts that can be left up to the States. Americans who live 
in Nebraska deserve the same civil rights protections as those living 
in my home State of New Hampshire. The same goes for those living in 
Mississippi and in Massachusetts.
  The end of discrimination can only begin when we protect our fellow 
citizens in each and every community across this Nation.
  Since Stonewall, millions of LGBTQ Americans have come out and have 
told their stories. Many have done so at great personal risk, but with 
a great societal benefit.
  Coming out and living openly has done more to change hearts, minds, 
and laws than anything else. As a result, we now stand on the cusp of 
history and of full equality, with the American people and public 
opinion squarely behind us.
  Mr. Speaker, as the people's House considers this bill, I ask my 
colleagues a simple question: Who deserves to be treated as a second-
class citizen just for being who we are? Which Members of this body, 
which people in your districts, which people in your own lives deserve 
to be less than equal?
  Mr. Speaker, I hope this House gets it right. Full equality under the 
law--nothing less, nothing more. It is a simple concept; it is a 
beautiful concept; and it is also an American concept.
  Mr. Speaker, for the sake of the LGBTQ Americans today, for future 
generations, let's pass H.R. 5, the Equality Act.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

                          ____________________