Political Quotes

“more than 40 years ago, this House stood up in the name of America and did the right thing and passed sweeping civil rights legislation to protect men and women of all races from discrimination. By widening the circle of freedom to include those who stood outside its embrace, America strengthened the character of its democracy. And that is exactly what we are doing today with this vote. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 has had a profound impact on our Nation. But the work to create a more just, equal Nation that began decades ago is unfinished. This morning, in 30 States across this country, millions of gay and lesbian Americans went to work knowing full well that they could be fired simply because of their sexual orientation. Their job performance would have nothing to do with their being fired. In too many places simply being gay can cost you your job. We should all be able to agree that this type of discrimination is inconsistent with American values. But for too many gay and lesbian Americans, it is a reality. This Congress has a duty to make this form of discrimination a thing of the past. We should be gratified by the fact that many American employers already do the right thing and protect the rights of their workers. Many Fortune 500 companies take these type of policies. For those who say the private sector should be a guiding light for government, well, here is your chance to prove it.”