“Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” Repeal Urged at Congressional Black Caucus Conference
Major General Vance Coleman (USA, Ret.) spoke at a session of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) Conference on September 28 entitled In the Name of Justice: Military Justice, or Injustice in the 19th, 20th and 21st Centuries. This moving five-hour event included tributes to African-American veterans, two panels on historical bias in the military justice system and how to remedy it, appeals for Congressional redress of past and current injustices, video, song, and prayer invocations.
Congressional Representatives Corrine Brown, Charles Rangel, Bob Filner, and Jim McDermott all gave moving tributes to veterans who have faced injustice. MG Coleman and SLDN staff thanked all these members personally for their cosponsorship of the Military Readiness Enhancement Act which would repeal DA,DT.
In his presentation, General Coleman urged Congress to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." He said: “I am proud so many members of the CBC have bravely stood up to fight anti-gay animus in our armed forces by co-sponsoring the Military Readiness Enhancement Act…The men and women who wear our nation’s uniform do not give up. We must not give up on securing justice for them.”
DC insiders considered the CBC Conference a must-attend event, given “CBC members’ unparalleled power at the helm of committees and subcommittees and in the ranks of Congressional leadership.” (Roll Call, September 26, 2007)
31 (or 74% of) Congressional Black Caucus members in the House of the Representatives are cosponsors of the Military Readiness Enhancement Act, demonstrating the outstanding support and leadership that African-American lawmakers have contributed to the effort to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”
-Julie Kruse
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10-18-07
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