[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 5]
[House]
[Page 6258]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  0910
                        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 join the chorus of those thanking Father 
Coughlin for his service and dedication and wishing him well.
  I also rise today in observance of the National Day of Silence.
  Today is the 14th year we have 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.
  Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and questioning youth 
and their allies face verbal and physical bullying on a daily basis 
just for being who they are, for expressing their sexuality, or for 
demonstrating a non-normative gender identity. I am proud that my 
constituents are calling for a stop to this harassment, and I encourage 
all Americans to join them.
  Our Nation is at her best when we are celebrating our differences, 
not punishing individuals for being different. I am proud to say that 
in my district Queer Youth and allies work together to make life better 
for queer youth. Middle schools and high schools in my district host 
student-run Gay-Straight Alliances, which create a supportive space so 
that queer youth do not feel isolated. My district also hosts Queer 
Youth conferences and award events that celebrate our queer youth.
  Though many lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender advocates and 
straight allies are silent today, we in Congress must never be silent.

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