[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 7]
[House]
[Page 10412]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1030
                      EQUAL JUSTICE UNDER THE LAW

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Oregon (Mr. Blumenauer) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Minutes ago, a 5-4 decision, written by Justice 
Kennedy, ruled that DOMA is a violation of the Equal Protection Clause. 
Today's decision is a monumental step forward in the long march towards 
GLBT equality.
  Forty years ago, I chaired a committee hearing in the Oregon 
legislature on discrimination based on sexual orientation. It was an 
eye-opening experience for me. It was the first time someone ever 
acknowledged to me their sexual orientation, let alone the 
discrimination they faced living a life of repression and fear. In the 
course of those 40 years, it has been a privilege to have been able to 
help fight to ban discrimination based on sexual orientation.
  We have watched a political movement emerge from the ashes of defeat, 
on discriminatory ballot measures across the country. It's exciting to 
see how this movement has been led at first by the people in the GLBT 
community, who refused to accept defeat, who, despite significant 
personal sacrifice, have stepped forward to declare who they are, who 
they love, what they want, and why they want it.
  It has been encouraging to watch business leaders step forward, no 
longer just the more progressive elements of the business community. 
Lately, it has become mainstream to acknowledge that diversity in the 
workforce demands a nondiscrimination policy--that regardless of a 
person's sexual orientation and to whom they choose to commit, it makes 
no difference in the eyes of a thoughtful, successful employer.
  It was exciting for me to watch and to participate in this year's 
Pride Parade in Portland, to note the leadership of virtually every 
institution in our community--businesses like Nike and Standard 
Insurance, Northwest Natural, grocery stores, colleges, hospitals and 
health professionals, universities, and churches--all marching proudly 
in a show of solidarity, a rejection of discrimination, support for 
diversity in the workplace for our friends, neighbors and relatives.
  Today's Supreme Court decision marks the most significant milestone 
yet in this struggle. By striking down DOMA, the Supreme Court has cast 
aside a major barrier to our GLBT friends, neighbors and relatives to 
be able to live complete lives--to be able to avoid discrimination, the 
stigma, the economic disadvantage. It's a signal that this will be the 
final chapter for a society that recognizes the worth of all human 
beings, acknowledges the right of all human beings to live as they 
wish, love who they will and be able to enjoy the multiple benefits 
that come from being involved in committed relationships and legal 
marriages.
  It's not just a milestone for our brothers and sisters in the GLBT 
community. It's a significant benefit for all society. If one truly 
believes that marriage is one of the cornerstones that we encourage for 
committed relationships, for people to be able to raise their families, 
look after one another in a stable, committed relationship, why 
shouldn't they be able to marry? Why should the Federal Government 
refuse to recognize that and discriminate? Some of the most traditional 
elements of our society who are dragging their feet should be in the 
forefront in helping lead this charge.
  Now, we must be vigilant. There are still pockets of resistance, 
hostility, bigotry, and discrimination. There are State laws that need 
to be adjusted, but it will no longer be sanctioned by Federal policy, 
and that is the critical difference. Once it is no longer legal to 
discriminate, we are truly in the homestretch for the type of society 
we want.
  This critical step was a narrow 5-4 decision, but it was a victory 
nonetheless. The path forward is a little more clear, and it's going to 
be a little easier. But before we start this next chapter, it's fitting 
that we celebrate this moment--the accomplishment of what it represents 
and what it will mean for America.
  That temple of justice that is the Supreme Court looks a little 
different this morning, and I hope Americans will appreciate it and 
think about where we go from here.

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