‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ repeal is ready for President Obama’s signature
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi presents the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" repeal bill before signing it.
At an enrollment ceremony today, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi signed the legislation repealing “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” before sending it to the White House for President Obama’s signature tomorrow morning. Senators and representatives who worked on the legislation spoke at the event, and Speaker Pelosi stated:
We are here to affirm a core American principle: that anyone who wishes to serve, secure, and defend this country should be welcomed, judged by their abilities, and honored for their sacrifice.
Veronica Wilson (Navy veteran) and Sharon Lettman-Hicks (Executive Director of the National Black Justice Coalition) with Representative Patrick Murphy, the author of the repeal legislation in the House.
The event was a celebration of the final passage of legislation that paves the way for lesbian, gay and bisexual people being able to serve openly and honestly in our military.
Darlene Nipper, Deputy Executive Director at the Task Force with the co-founders of SLDN Dixon Osburn and Michelle Benecke, current SLDN Executive Director Aubrey Sarvis, and Veteran Veronica Wilson
Full repeal will not occur until 60 days after the Commander-in-Chief, Secretary of Defense, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs certify repeal can happen. We urge the president and Joint Chiefs to work quickly to certify repeal, but remind servicemembers that it is not yet safe to come out into the open. We look forward to the day when your silence will no longer be required.
Congressman Patrick Murphy with Task Force Foundation and Action Fund Board Member Duane Ingram
