Nydia M. Velazquez: “Two decades after its enactment, ``Don't Ask, Don't Tell'' is finally no more. At last, gay men and women can now openly…”

“Two decades after its enactment, ``Don't Ask, Don't Tell'' is finally no more. At last, gay men and women can now openly serve in our military without having to hide who they are. Eliminating this practice is a historic step forward in our pursuit of a more perfect Union. With this progress, our country's military can now become a shining example of equality--an example to be followed by all sectors of our society. Just as important, this change will make our Armed Forces stronger. Young Americans who had previously been deterred from joining our military will now step forward, enlist, and serve the country they love. Many formerly discharged servicemembers will reenter the armed services to serve alongside friends and family. Ultimately, our military will benefit from a broader and deeper pool of talent. Now, as we move forward in fully implementing this change, we must ensure that same-sex families receive the same benefits as other military couples. Mr. Speaker, although our work continues, today we are one step closer to the ideal that we are all created equal. ____________________”