[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 6]
[House]
[Page 7110]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        NATIONAL DAY OF SILENCE

  (Mr. FARR asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to provide a voice to those who 
too often are silenced: the gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender 
students who face verbal, nonverbal, and physical harassment in our 
schools.
  Today is the National Day of Silence across this country. Students 
have taken a vow of silence to protest the discrimination and 
intolerance that gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender students face 
on a daily basis.
  In my district I am especially proud of Safe Schools Project of Santa 
Cruz County, which is coordinated by Santa Cruz County High School 
senior Nikira Hernandez. This program focuses on making K-through-12 
schools in Santa Cruz County a safe place for all youth regardless of 
their sexual orientation or gender identity.
  Considering our country's commitment to equality and liberty, it is 
disturbing that anyone is subjected to harassment and discrimination 
based on their sexual orientation or gender identity. We must work to 
protect our youth from violence and hatred while fostering a positive 
academic environment free of derogatory statements, taunts, and slurs.
  For that reason I am proud to cosponsor H. Con. Res. 86, which 
memorializes the National Day of Silence.

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