[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 5]
[House]
[Page 5943]
[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 in observance of the National Day 
of Silence. April 16 was the 14th year we've commemorated the National 
Day of Silence, a time when students across the country remain silent 
for the whole day to draw attention to discrimination toward their LGBT 
peers.
  Every day students who are lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered, 
as well as those who are perceived to be LGBT, are subjected to 
harassment, bullying, intimidation and violence. These actions are 
incredibly harmful to students, and they also damage our educational 
system.
  In addition to supporting the National Day of Silence, I'm also proud 
to be cosponsor of H.R. 4530, the Student Nondiscrimination Act. This 
act is necessary because bullying and discrimination are the norm for 
so many LGBT young people. These youth face unique challenges in their 
physical and mental health. Last weekend a group of constituents hosted 
a Queer Youth Health Summit in Santa Cruz, California.
  This group also works to identify mental and physical health needs 
and promote safe and healthy lifestyles for queer and questioning youth 
in the region. It's unfortunate a summit like this is necessary, but I 
commend these students for responding so compassionately.
  Though many lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender advocates and their 
straight allies were silent last Friday, we in Congress should never 
be. Our job is to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves.

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