A Strong Voice Against Discrimination of All Sorts

by Barney Frank

A Strong Voice Against Discrimination of All Sorts

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HON. BARNEY FRANK

OF MASSACHUSETTS
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts. Madam Speaker, I was very proud in the 70's to show my support for appropriate bipartisanship by supporting and working closely with Senator Ed Brooke, who was twice elected to the Senate as a Republican and was a staunch fighter against discrimination, for strong support for rental housing for low-income people, and in general for fiscal responsibility within the context of social concerns. I was therefore very pleased, but not at all surprised, to read in the Boston Globe on June 22, 2010 a strong expression of support for repeal of the "don't ask, don't tell" policy, which has discriminated against so many patriotic Americans seeking to serve their country. Senator Brooke notes that he himself was the victim of discriminatory policies when he served in a segregated U.S. Army in World War II, and as an African American, was treated unfairly. He does affirm that there are differences in the effect of the policies and the impact they have between racial segregation and "don't ask, don't tell," but as he says after discussing the experience of racial segregation, "The point is that the ban (on gay and lesbian members in the military) is a weapon and expression of prejudice--no more excusable than any other discriminatory law."

Consistent with his lifelong record of fighting for fairness in America, Senator Brooke closes the article by saying, "If I was still in the Senate, I would vote to show my respect for the sacrifices of all soldiers--gay and straight. Congress should repeal this legislation and score another victory of progress over prejudice."

Madam Speaker, I was proud to stand with Ed Brooke in the 70's and I am very proud that he is standing with those of us who are fighting for fairness today.