[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 10]
[House]
[Page 13946]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    REPEAL OF DON'T ASK, DON'T TELL

  (Mr. PETERS asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. PETERS. As a former lieutenant commander in the United States 
Navy Reserve, I rise to applaud the repeal of the discriminatory Don't 
Ask, Don't Tell policy.
  This backward policy has turned away over 14,000 able-bodied men and 
women from our military while our Nation is fighting two wars. It 
wasted over $1.3 billion taxpayer dollars through investigations, legal 
proceedings, and wasted training for fighter pilots, mechanics, medics, 
and even Arabic translators.
  I am proud to have fought for this necessary change and feel 
privileged to have been able to cast my vote to make this misguided 
policy a relic of the past. Our military can now recruit and train 
qualified patriotic and courageous Americans who want to serve our 
country regardless of their sexual orientation.
  During my service in the United States Navy Reserve, I served with 
many dedicated men and women who were always ready to serve their 
country. I was never concerned about their sexual orientation. 
Implementation of repeal marks not just an increase in military 
readiness but a significant step forward for civil rights and equality.

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