[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 78 (Tuesday, May 9, 2023)]
[House]
[Page H2155]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        NATIONAL DAY OF SILENCE

  (Mr. PANETTA asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. PANETTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the students and allies 
who marked the National Day of Silence. On this day, people around the 
country and in California's 19th Congressional District stand in 
solidarity with the LGBTQ community by taking a vow of silence.
  By doing this, students raise awareness on the challenges and the 
hurdles that continue to face our LGBTQ youth and their fellow 
classmates.
  One inspiring young leader in my district is Latisha Vivian Chen 
Gladney from Santa Cruz High School. Latisha explained that it is still 
a struggle to get their voices heard in their fight for equal rights. 
Yet, it is through their act of silence that they can represent their 
community, recognize the people before us who fought for LGBTQ rights, 
and be reinvigorated to continue our fight to educate future 
generations.
  So thanks to Latisha and others who, through their silence, are 
giving a voice to so many people and inspiring us in Congress to 
empower students in our communities, protect them from discrimination 
and harassment, and to provide the LGBTQ community with the support 
that they need to feel safe and secure in our classrooms, out in our 
community, and all across our country.

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