Lynn C. Woolsey: “I rise today to oppose the Hancock amendments in the strongest terms possible and to urge my colleagues to vote for the…”

“I rise today to oppose the Hancock amendments in the strongest terms possible and to urge my colleagues to vote for the Unsoeld perfecting amendment. As a life-long advocate of civil rights, as a career human resources professional, and as the mother of a gay son, I urge my colleagues to defeat this damaging amendment. This amendment severely restricts the autonomy of local schools and boards by reaching the long arm of Federal Government in a place where it has never, ever been before--your local school. This amendment dictates what conversations school administrators and teachers may have with students, what may be taught, and what the curriculum should be. Mr. Chairman, in that respect, this amendment is a first. Does the gentleman offering it believe that it is OK for the Federal Government to tell local schools that they cannot teach creationism or evolution? I think not. I would wager that he would say it is best left up to local discretion. And he would be right. We need to let local schools and local communities decide what is appropriate to teach children. But, even if this amendment did not increase Federal bureaucracy and control, I would oppose it. The fact is that many, many adolescents in school realize that they are gay or lesbian, or believe that they might be. It is then that they need the most support, especially from peers, teachers, school administrators, and parents.”