Date: 2010-12-15
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I would like to begin by thanking Congressman PATRICK MURPHY of Pennsylvania and Majority Leader STENY HOYER for introducing and bringing this momentous legislation to the House. Our troops and veterans have taken the Oath of Service and have devoted their lives to our country. I want to thank our Nations Armed Services for proudly and courageously serving our Nation. In supporting our troops. I stand here today in unwavering support of repealing Dont Ask. Dont Tell. and I urge my colleagues to join me in passing this legislation. The "Dont Ask. Dont Tell Repeal Act of 2010" presents the Congress of the United States with an opportunity to uphold civil and human rights in one of the most noble institutions of the United Statesour armed forces. I believe that the Pentagons extensive report regarding DADTs repeal speaks for itself The report explained that the majority of the military supported allowing gay members of the armed services to serve openly. Furthermore. the report stated that allowing gay Americans to serve openly would not have a substantial impact on troop morale. readiness. or effectiveness. It is important that we realize and recognize that we have the power to prevent the potentially disruptive process of having the courts repeal Dont Ask Dont Tell by doing it legislatively today. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates has emphasized on numerous occasions that it is critical that we pass this legislation and allow the Department of Defense to implement the repeal of Dont Ask. Dont Tell. Now it is our opportunity to serve our Nation. and to do what it is best for our armed services. Admiral Mike Mullen. the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. has expressed his strong support for the repeal of Dont Ask. Dont Tell as well. Like Admiral Mullen. I too am troubled by such a policy that forces the young men and women to lie about who they are. We should not undermine the integrity of our Nations institutions nor of those who courageously protect our Nations interests abroad. We must do right by all of our American troops and move forward by repealing DADT. It is time to end this lingering method of discrimination. and we should not rest until this message is clear. Every American has the right to stand among their peers to undertake the noble and courageous task of defending their Nation. Our military should not have to lose the patriotic and talented men and women who want to serve our country. but are unable to do so because of DADT. Since 1993. DADT has forced over 13.000 qualified and patriotic men and women to leave the service. And that does not include the thousands more who have decided not to reenlist or join the military at all because of DADT. I know firsthand that the men and women of the United States military are courageous and have compassion for the humanity of each other. it is the expansiveness of their humanity which leads them to sacrifice and offer the last full measure of devotion on behalf of the American people. We know it is distinctive. but there is a reason that Dont Ask. Dont Tell should be eliminated. and it is that every patriotic human being deserves the right to serve his or her country if they are willing to take the Oath of Service. President Lyndon Baines Johnson stated. "We seek not just equality as a right and a theory but equality as a fact and equality as a result." America is a Nation of values. the right to equality and the principle of nondiscrimination is a fundamental tenet of our democracy. Our Declaration of Independence and our Constitution speak specifically to the equality of all people. Now is the time for Congress to act and ensure that every American of good character has the right to serve their Nation. We must respect the humanity and the service of those troops who respect our country so much that they are willing to sacrifice their lives for it. Dont Ask. Dont Tell is also a costly policy. In 2009 alone. we lost 428 service members to Dont Ask. Dont Tell at the estimated cost of over $12 million. There are an estimated 66.000 gay and lesbian service members currently on activeduty. serving in all capacities around the world to protect our Nation and advance our interests. We cannot allow the strength and unity of our military to suffer from a destructive force within. The cost is not only monetary. Dont Ask. Dont Tell costs the United States by eroding our position on respecting human and civil rights. In the same vein of the civil rights movement of years past. we must not forget that the fight for civil and human rights continues. The research has been done. the representatives of our Armed Forces support the repeal. and our President has expressed his support. It is our turn to repeal Dont Ask. Dont Tell. We must act now. to ensure that human and civil rights are ensured and protected. I urge my colleagues to defend the human and civil rights at home for those who protect ours abroad.