[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 7]
[House]
[Page 9460]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        RECOGNIZING PRIDE MONTH

  (Mr. QUIGLEY asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. QUIGLEY. Madam Speaker, I rise in celebration of June as Pride 
Month.
  Participating and supporting the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and 
transgender community is a way of life. At its core, this month stands 
to recognize a fundamental belief upon which this country is founded: 
equality.
  The first pride parade took place in 1970 to commemorate the 
Stonewall riots in New York. Forty years later, the event has become 
much more than a parade; it has evolved into a month-long celebration 
of the LGBT community.
  What was once a moment is now a movement, bringing people together to 
fight for the rights and benefits granted to them by the Constitution, 
rights we should all fully support and fight for every day in 
Washington. We've got a few victories under our belt. Hate crimes 
legislation and the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell have passed these 
Chambers, but there remains much to be done.
  I look forward to celebrating equality for all this weekend at the 
Chicago Pride Parade and festival, and I am as emboldened as ever to 
continue this important work in Congress.

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