[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 6]
[Senate]
[Pages 7882-7883]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         OBSERVING PRIDE MONTH

  Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, when Governor Christine Gregoire signed 
the Washington State marriage equality bill into law last year, it was 
a day of joy for all of the loving, committed LGBT couples of 
Washington--and for all who love, respect, and support them. And when 
voters approved the law in a referendum last November, we showed the 
Nation once again that we can change the course of history and give 
true voice and meaning to the idea that all are created equal. This law 
takes us one important step closer towards true equality for LGBT 
families across Washington State. It is proof of the incredible power a 
community can have when we come together to fight for equality. 
Washington is now 1 of 12 States to have affirmed the right for LGBT 
couples to marry--an amazing sign of progress in our Nation.
  I am proud to work with my colleagues in the Senate to achieve equal 
rights for LGBT Americans in Washington State and across the country. 
Earlier this year, I joined 172 Members of the House of Representatives 
and 39 Senators in filing an amicus brief to the U.S. Supreme Court in 
United States v. Windsor, arguing the Defense of Marriage Act is 
unconstitutional and should be struck down. And, as a senior member of 
the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, I led a letter to Veterans 
Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki calling for an expedited waiver process 
to grant every same-sex spouse of a veteran burial rights in our 
national cemeteries.
  There is much to celebrate today, but still so much more to be done 
to ensure equal rights for LGBT Americans. As

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we look back upon our recent victories, we must also recommit to our 
efforts and harness the energy we used to achieve marriage equality 
last year to continue this fight. From our immigration and employment 
laws to our policies for veterans and military families, there is still 
plenty of work to be done to ensure all Americans, including members of 
our LGBT community, are treated equally.
  Equal protection under the law is a fundamental right in our country. 
No one should suffer discrimination because of their race, religion, 
national origin, age, sex, disability, sexual orientation, or gender 
identity. Whether applying for a job, finding a home, eating in a 
restaurant, seeking credit, serving in our military, or attending 
school, we must ensure all citizens are treated fairly and equally. To 
me, the fight for equality for the LGBT community is a fight for what 
it means to be American. That is why Pride Month is so important.
  Each June, Pride Month brings our community together to honor 
diversity, equality, and love. And this year, we can celebrate some 
truly historic gains as LGBT couples are finally able to express their 
commitment to each other in the same way so many other Washingtonians 
have throughout our State's history--by joining in marriage and saying 
``I do.''
  Pride Month is a time to commemorate our accomplishments and recharge 
for the fight ahead. We have many more opportunities to advance our 
efforts in the coming months and years, and we will not give up until 
we have achieved full equality under the law for all Washingtonians and 
all Americans. I wish to thank the countless organizations that have 
led us to the victories and accomplishments we celebrate in June. When 
we gather together in moments such as this, we speak with one unified 
voice for the cause of equality and give true meaning to our Founders' 
belief that all are created equal. I am proud to fight for the LGBT 
community in Washington and across the country, and I will continue to 
ensure the voices of LGBT Americans and their allies are heard in the 
United States Senate.

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