Political Quotes

“Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, I come to the floor this afternoon to speak and join in the effort to repeal don't ask, don't tell. This policy has failed in its intended goals. It has done a tremendous disservice to the men and women who want nothing more than to defend our country, and it is time for this policy to go. I want to begin this afternoon by talking about a true hero from my home State of Washington named Margaret Witt. She joined the Air Force in 1987 and served honorably for 18 years as a flight nurse--rising to the rank of major. She was described in reviews and by her peers as being an exemplary officer, an effective leader, and a skilled and caring nurse. But in 2004 her superiors discovered she was a lesbian and, acting under don't ask, don't tell policy they suspended and ultimately discharged her. Margaret lost the job she had given her life to, and our country lost a talented and committed flight nurse. She did not give up. She went to court. She called witnesses. She made her case. In September of this year, U.S. District Judge Ronald Leighton ruled that she must be reinstated. Judge Leighton said the government gave no compelling reason for dismissing Major Witt, and that the application of don't ask, don't tell was not shown to further the government's interest in promoting military readiness. That was the right decision, and it was amazing news for Major Witt.”