On the recordOctober 26, 2011
Mr. Speaker, 2 years ago, I stood on this floor and spoke out against the injustice of our Nation's Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy. I told the story of Lee Reinhart, a patriotic constituent of mine who wanted to serve his country in time of war. Lee had already retired from a 4-year Navy career when our Nation was attacked on September 11. Like many Americans after September 11, Lee wanted to serve his country and again enlisted in the Coast Guard. But 4 months later, he was discharged under Don't Ask, Don't Tell. Last December my colleagues and I repealed that policy; and Monday, I had the honor of administering the oath to Lee Reinhart as he reenlisted in the Navy. Dr. Martin Luther King once said, ``The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice.'' Mr. Speaker, I was proud of my country and proud of Lee Reinhart when justice finally arrived for both. ____________________
