Ending "Don't Ask, Don't Tell", Celebrating Democracy and Human Rights
Honoring Nobel Laureate Daw Aung San Suu Kyi with the Congressional Gold Medal
On Wednesday, I had the privilege of delivering remarks at a Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony honoring Daw Aung San Suu Kyi for her unwavering commitment to peace, non-violence, and Democracy in Burma. The Congressional Gold Medal is the highest honor Congress can bestow.
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has always believed that the need for democracy for all the people of Burma was more important than her personal needs, making great sacrifices for the cause of her people. Though many in Burma have been beaten, tortured, and killed in their pursuit of democracy, her commitment to peace and nonviolence remains steadfast.
I thank her for her personal sacrifice, for her inner strength, and for being an example of strength and courage to the world. The United States has stood and stands with the freedom-seeking people of Burma in their just cause.
Congresswoman Pelosi with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi at a ceremony awarding her with the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest civilian award Congress can bestow.
Ending “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”
On Tuesday, we celebrated the two year anniversary of the long-overdue end of the discriminatory ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ policy, finally closing the door on a fundamental unfairness and affirming equality for all Americans. When the Democratic majorities in the House and Senate took action two years ago to end this discriminatory policy, we reaffirmed the core American principle that anyone who wishes to serve, secure, and defend this country must be judged by their abilities and honored for their dedication and sacrifice.
We still have work to do. For gays and lesbians discharged or punished unfairly, we must work to correct their paperwork to properly reflect their service. We must work to end the discriminatory Defense of Marriage act. We must work to ensure that full support and benefits are granted to our gay and lesbian veterans. Finally, we must work to ensure that there is one class of service member in our military.
Celebrating Rosh Hashanah
Sunday night marked the start of Rosh Hashanah, a time of prayer and introspection, renewal and repentance, reflection on the year that’s past and hope for the year to come. For Jewish families in San Francisco and worldwide, it is a moment to take stock of the blessings of family and community, to usher in the New Year with loved ones, to look forward to a future of health and happiness.
For all Americans, even with turmoil abroad and economic hardship at home, this period in the Jewish calendar affords us the opportunity to rededicate ourselves to the principles that unite us as a nation and shape us as a city – the belief in diversity as a source of strength; the ideals of liberty and freedom; the idea that ‘out of many, we are one.’ As Yom Kippur approaches, I wish our friends in the Jewish community an easy fast, and a year of strength, joy, and good fortune. Shana tovah u’tikateivu – may you have a good, sweet, and happy new year.
Grants Workshop for Constituents
Last Friday, my office hosted an Arts and Education Grants Workshop. The event featured representatives from the U.S. Department of Education, the National Endowment for the Arts, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Foundation Center. My staff and I are dedicated to helping constituents navigate the federal grants process. I encourage you to sign up for the Grants E-Newsletter, which focuses on federal and private funding opportunities for organizations in the 8th Congressional District, and invites you to various grant seeker panels and events in San Francisco. For more information, please visit: https://pelosi.house.gov/additional-services-and-resources/grants.
Please feel free to forward this information to your family and friends. To learn more about these efforts, to express your views, or to sign up for email updates, please visit my website. I am also on Twitter at https://twitter.com/NancyPelosi.