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[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E291-E292]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
CELEBRATING THE PALM CENTER'S 20TH ANNIVERSARY
______
HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS
of florida
in the house of representatives
Tuesday, March 12, 2019
Mr. HASTINGS. Madam Speaker, I am honored to rise today to recognize
the Palm Center on the occasion of their 20th anniversary. Founded in
1998 by the University of California, Santa Barbara, the Palm Center
conducts policy research on key social and political issues affecting
the most vulnerable Americans. For 20 years, the Palm Center has been a
trailblazer in efforts to protect lesbian, gay, bisexual, and
transgender (LGBT) service members. The organization has worked
diligently against the discriminatory ``Don't Ask, Don't Tell'' (DADT)
policy, which prohibited service members of the LGBT community from
disclosing their sexuality while serving.
The Palm Center's independent research has enhanced the quality of
public dialogue and contributed to the work of independent scholars,
students, journalists, members of the public, and policymakers, like
myself. In 2009, the Palm Center's research was a welcomed resource
that allowed me to introduce the Open and Honest Testimony Act. This
legislation addressed the discriminatory DADT policy by allowing LGBT
troops to testify openly without the risk of discharge and ensured that
Congress based its decision on the best possible information.
In 2013, the largest collection of research on DADT policy was
published in the Journal of Homosexuality. This publication was
composed of the work of Palm Center scholars, as well as reviews of the
literary works of Palm Center authors. The Palm Center was the first to
release a study on openly gay military service members following the
repeal of DADT. Even after its repeal, the Palm Center has continued
its work against other anti-LGBT military policies.
The Palm Center's current research focuses on transgender military
service. This research comes at a pivotal time when President Trump's
Administration threatens the ability of transgender men and women to
serve in our military. The Palm Center's scholarship has made it
abundantly clear that the transgender ban would weaken our military
readiness, cause substantial disruptions, deprive the military of
talent, and wreak havoc on the lives of military families. The research
the Palm Center is conducting is crucial to negating the misinformation
and belittling rhetoric the Trump Administration continues to engage in
regarding our brave transgender service members.
Madam Speaker, I want to extend my heartfelt congratulations to the
Palm Center on its 20th anniversary. The work they are doing to provide
the public with accurate and evidence-based information is invaluable
to us all. I look forward to continuing my work with the Palm Center,
and wish them many more years of great success.
[[Page E292]]
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