Following the pro forma session, the Senate will adjourn until 2:00pm on
Monday, October 3, 2011.
Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in morning business until
3:30pm with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.
Following morning business, the Senate will resume consideration of the
motion to proceed to S.1619, the Currency Exchange Rate Oversight Reform Act
with the time until 4:30pm equally divided and controlled between the two
Leaders or their designees.
At 4:30pm, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to consider the
following nominations:
- Cal #113 Henry F. Floyd, of South Carolina, to be US Circuit Judge for the
  Fourth Circuit
- Cal #171 Nannette Jolivette Brown, of Louisiana, to be US District Judge for
  the Eastern District of Louisiana
- Cal #172 Nancy Torresen, of Maine, to be US District Judge for the District
  of Maine
- Cal #173 William Francis Kuntz, II, of New York, to be US District Judge for
  the Eastern District of New York
- Cal #184 Marina Garcia Marmolejo, of Texas, to be US District Judge for the
  Southern District of Texas
- Cal #357 Jennifer Guerin Zipps, of Arizona, to be US District Judge for the
  District of Arizona
With one hour of debate equally divided and controlled between Senators
Leahy and Grassley or their designees. Calendar numbers 171, 172, 173, 184 and
357 will be confirmed by unanimous consent.
At 5:30pm, there will be 2 roll call votes in relation to the following:
- Confirmation of Calendar #113, Henry F. Floyd, of South Carolina, to be US
  Circuit Judge for the Fourth Circuit, and
- Motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to Calendar #183, S.1619,
  the Currency Exchange Rate Oversight Reform Act.

At 5:30pm, the Senate will conduct 2 roll call votes in relation to the
following:

Confirmation of Executive Calendar #113, Henry Floyd, of South Carolina, to
be United States Circuit Judge for the Fourth Circuit and
Motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to Calendar #183, S.1619,
the Currency Exchange Rate Oversight Reform Act.

VOTES

5:33pm The Senate began a roll call vote on confirmation of Henry Floyd, of
South Carolina, to be United States District Judge for the Fourth Circuit;
Confirmed: 96-0

6:00pm The Senate began a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the
motion to proceed to S.1619, the Currency Exchange Rate Oversight Reform Act;
Invoked: 79-19

No LEGISLATIVE
ITEMS

EXECUTIVE
ITEMS

Confirmed Executive Calendar #359, Robert Stephen Ford to be Ambassador
Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Syrian
Arab Republic.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

2:00:10 P.M.

The House convened, starting a new legislative day.

2:00:23 P.M.

Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.

2:02:10 P.M.

The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.

2:02:13 P.M.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Wilson of SC to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

2:02:37 P.M.

ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches.

2:08:00 P.M.

The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 4:00 P.M. today.

4:02:11 P.M.

The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of October 3.

4:02:13 P.M.

Mr. Bishop (UT) asked unanimous consent That it be in order to take from the Speaker’s table H.R. 2608, with the Senate amendment to the House amendment to the Senate amendment thereto, and to consider in the House, without intervention of any point of order, a motion offered by the chair of the Committee on Appropriations or his designee that the House concur in the Senate amendment; that the Senate amendment be considered as read; that the motion be debatable for one hour equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on Appropriations; and that the previous question be considered as ordered on the motion to its adoption without intervening motion. Agreed to without objection.

4:04:02 P.M.

The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until a time to be announced.

4:04:16 P.M.

H.R. 686

Mr. Bishop (UT) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. H.R. 686 — “To require the conveyance of certain public land within the boundaries of Camp Williams, Utah, to support the training and readiness of the Utah National Guard.”

4:04:45 P.M.

H.R. 686

Considered under suspension of the rules.

4:04:47 P.M.

H.R. 686

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 686.

4:07:43 P.M.

H.R. 686

At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.

4:08:13 P.M.

H.R. 765

Mr. Bishop (UT) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 765 — “To amend the National Forest Ski Area Permit Act of 1986 to clarify the authority of the Secretary of Agriculture regarding additional recreational uses of National Forest System land that is subject to ski area permits, and for other purposes.”

4:08:24 P.M.

H.R. 765

Considered under suspension of the rules.

4:08:25 P.M.

H.R. 765

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 765.

4:12:16 P.M.

H.R. 765

4:13:00 P.M.

H.R. 489

Mr. Bishop (UT) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 489 — “To clarify the jurisdiction of the Secretary of the Interior with respect to the C.C. Cragin Dam and Reservoir, and for other purposes.”

4:13:14 P.M.

H.R. 489

Considered under suspension of the rules.

4:13:19 P.M.

H.R. 489

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 489.

4:24:46 P.M.

H.R. 489

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.

4:24:52 P.M.

H.R. 489

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

4:25:26 P.M.

H.R. 473

Mr. Bishop (UT) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. H.R. 473 — “To provide for the conveyance of approximately 140 acres of land in the Ouachita National Forest in Oklahoma to the Indian Nations Council, Inc., of the Boy Scouts of America, and for other purposes.”

4:25:38 P.M.

H.R. 473

Considered under suspension of the rules.

4:25:40 P.M.

H.R. 473

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 473.

4:31:53 P.M.

H.R. 473

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.

4:31:56 P.M.

H.R. 473

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

4:32:34 P.M.

H.R. 470

Mr. Bishop (UT) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. H.R. 470 — “To further allocate and expand the availability of hydroelectric power generated at Hoover Dam, and for other purposes.”

4:32:49 P.M.

H.R. 470

Considered under suspension of the rules.

4:32:52 P.M.

H.R. 470

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 470.

4:44:08 P.M.

H.R. 470

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.

4:44:12 P.M.

H.R. 470

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

4:45:00 P.M.

H.R. 670

Mr. Bishop (UT) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 670 — “To convey certain submerged lands to the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in order to give that territory the same benefits in its submerged lands as Guam, the Virgin Islands, and American Samoa have in their submerged lands.”

4:45:01 P.M.

H.R. 670

Considered under suspension of the rules.

4:45:05 P.M.

H.R. 670

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 670.

4:52:05 P.M.

H.R. 670

4:52:52 P.M.

S. Con. Res. 29

Mr. Harper moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution. S. Con. Res. 29 — “Authorizing the use of the rotunda of the United States Capitol for an event to present the Congressional Gold Medal, collectively, to Neil A. Armstrong, Edwin E. “Buzz” Aldrin, Jr., Michael Collins, and John Herschel Glenn, Jr., in recognition of their significant contributions to society.”

4:53:07 P.M.

S. Con. Res. 29

Considered under suspension of the rules.

4:53:09 P.M.

S. Con. Res. 29

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. Con. Res. 29.

5:01:25 P.M.

S. Con. Res. 29

On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution Agreed to by voice vote.

5:01:28 P.M.

S. Con. Res. 29

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

5:01:44 P.M.

The Speaker laid before the House a message from the President transmitting legislation and supporting documents to implement the United States-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement – referred to the Committee on Ways and Means and ordered to be printed (H. Doc. 112-58).

5:06:31 P.M.

The Speaker laid before the House a message from the President transmitting legislation and supporting documents to implement the United States-Panama Trade Promotion Agreement – referred to the Committee on Ways and Means and ordered to be printed (H. Doc. 112-59).

5:10:14 P.M.

The Speaker laid before the House a message from the President transmitting legislation and supporting documents to implement the United States-Korea Free Trade Agreement – referred to the Committee on Ways and Means and ordered to be printed (H. Doc. 112-60).

5:13:58 P.M.

The Speaker laid before the House a message from the President transmitting letters exchanged between the United States and Korea that contain commitments to level to the playing field for U.S. businesses, workers, farmers, ranchers, manufacturers, investors, and service providers – referred to the Committee on Ways and Means and ordered to be printed (H. Doc. 112-61).

5:15:00 P.M.

The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 6:30 P.M. today.

6:30:00 P.M.

The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of October 3.

6:30:30 P.M.

H. Con. Res. 83

Mr. Rogers (KY) asked unanimous consent to take from the Speaker’s table and consider.

6:30:38 P.M.

H. Con. Res. 83

Considered by unanimous consent. H. Con. Res. 83 — “Directing the Clerk of the House of Representatives to make a further correction in the enrollment of H.R. 2608.”

6:30:41 P.M.

H. Con. Res. 83

On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to without objection.

6:30:44 P.M.

H. Con. Res. 83

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

6:31:01 P.M.

Mr. Nugent filed reports from the Committee on Rules, H. Res. 418 and H. Res. 419.

6:32:29 P.M.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question of adoption of motions to suspend the rules which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.

6:32:52 P.M.

H.R. 686

Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 686 — “To require the conveyance of certain public land within the boundaries of Camp Williams, Utah, to support the training and readiness of the Utah National Guard.”

6:54:10 P.M.

H.R. 686

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 400 – 0 (Roll no. 742).

6:54:10 P.M.

H.R. 686

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

6:55:11 P.M.

H.R. 765

Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 765 — “To amend the National Forest Ski Area Permit Act of 1986 to clarify the authority of the Secretary of Agriculture regarding additional recreational uses of National Forest System land that is subject to ski area permits, and for other purposes.”

7:01:53 P.M.

H.R. 765

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 394 – 0 (Roll no. 743).

7:01:54 P.M.

H.R. 765

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

7:02:00 P.M.

H.R. 670

Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 670 — “To convey certain submerged lands to the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in order to give that territory the same benefits in its submerged lands as Guam, the Virgin Islands, and American Samoa have in their submerged lands.”

7:09:52 P.M.

H.R. 670

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 397 – 0 (Roll no. 744).

7:09:52 P.M.

H.R. 670

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

7:11:14 P.M.

ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.

7:30:29 P.M.

SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.

8:19:04 P.M.

The Speaker laid before the House a message from the President transmitting the District of Columbia’s 2012 Budget Request Act – referred to the Committee on Appropriations and ordered to be printed (H. Doc. 112-62).

8:20:01 P.M.

SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House resumed Special Order speeches.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Take Action: Lilly and Betty Need Back-up …Fatima Goss Graves, National Women’s Law Center

10/03/2011 Nativegrl77

As a fair pay advocate, you stood hand-in-hand with Lilly Ledbetter and Betty Dukes as they fought for fair pay against some of the largest employers in the United States. As courageous as they have been, women like them shouldn’t have to go at it alone.

It’s time that Lilly and Betty have some back-up. Take action today: Tell the Department of Labor to help protect women from pay discrimination. WWW.NWLC.ORG

The Department of Labor is currently considering creating a new compensation data tool that would make it easier to enforce laws that prohibit pay discrimination. Since 2006, the federal government has had NO tool to effectively monitor wage discrimination based on race, national origin and gender by private employers. This means that our tax dollars could possibly be going to federal contractors who are not paying women fairly. It’s time to take a stand. Raise your voice: tell the Department of Labor to move us forward and collect wage data.

WWW.NWLC.ORG

So what do we want the new data tool to look like? In developing the compensation tool, we urge the Department to:

*Require that federal contractors submit wage information for all workers and in a wide range of categories, including workers that are part-time;

*Require that the Department conduct compensation reviews for companies that have more than one location in order to address companywide discrimination;

*Require that businesses bidding on federal contracts submit compensation data as a part of the bidding process. Federal tax dollars should not be wasted on companies that unlawfully discriminate against its workers; and

*Include comprehensive data that highlights gender, racial and ethnic disparities not only in pay, but also in hiring, terminations, promotions and tenure. Pay discrimination is often inextricably intertwined with other practices prohibited by employment discrimination laws.
The wage gap has been stuck at 77 cents for the past three years, despite important laws that prohibit gender discrimination in compensation. And we know that individuals like Lilly and Betty face significant obstacles in addressing and detecting pay discrimination. Collecting this data would be a critical step in ensuring the government can effectively combat pay discrimination. As a fair pay advocate, we urge you to weigh-in and support this new data tool at the Department of Labor.

WWW.NWLC.ORG

Sincerely,

Fatima Goss Graves
Vice President for Education and Employment
National Women’s Law Center

P.S. Your generous donation allows us to continue to stand up for women and their families. Support our work today.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

We want the Buffett Rule … Sen. Russ Feingold

10/03/2011 Nativegrl77

President Obama came out swinging last month — presenting a deficit-reduction plan to the American people that would finally make millionaires pay their fair share.

Poll after poll has shown this is exactly what the American people want, but big corporations and the super rich are already fighting back. They’re threatening to kill this plan before it’s even voted on in Congress.

We can’t let that happen.

This is what progressives wanted. This is what we fought for, and we can’t let it go down without a fight. We need to show Congress — and especially the members of this so-called “super committee” — that we’re not going to let big corporations and the super rich call the shots anymore.

The super committee is accepting public comments right now and we need to overwhelm them with the voices of average Americans across the country. That’s why Democracy for America and Progressives United are joining forces to call on progressives across the country to write into the Super Committee and tell them to support President Obama’s “Buffett Rule.”

Join us and submit your comments directly the super committee — tell them to support President Obama’s “Buffett Rule” to make millionaires pay their fair share.

www.ProgressivesUnited.org

The odds of winning this fight are long. Big corporations have a lot of influence in Washington and they’re going to fight us on this every step of the way. But remember that we’ve already won one important battle.

President Obama would never have introduced this plan if it hadn’t been for the hard work of millions of progressive activists and concerned citizens across the country. We built a powerful grassroots campaign to push the president to call for this — and we won.

Now it’s time for another win.

Tell the super committee to make millionaires pay their fair share.

www.ProgressivesUnited.org

The odds are against us, but we have the president on our side. Join us today to help us win.

Thank you for everything you do.

-Russ

Russ Feingold

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

President Obama’s powerful message to everyone at the HRC’s 15th Annual National Dinner

10/03/2011 Nativegrl77

President Obama just finished his keynote address at HRC‘s 15th Annual National Dinner.It’s time to thank him for his support and remind him that we’re counting on him.Watch his speech here:

President Obama just delivered a stirring speech at HRC’s 15th Annual National Dinner that has left me ready for action.

In my introduction, I thanked the President for his leadership on repealing “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” signing breakthrough hate crimes prevention legislation, ensuring hospital visitation rights for our loved ones, and declaring the Defense of Marriage Act unconstitutional and indefensible.

When we got backstage, I turned to him and told him I could only imagine what his appearance at an event like this says to a teenager in Salt Lake City who’s too nervous to come out, or to a young soldier in Afghanistan who just wants to serve her country openly.

And then I shared a message that comes from people in every corner of the country: “Mr. President, there’s a lot more work to be done, but we’ll keeping standing with you if you keep standing with us.”

WWW.HRC.ORG

On the heels of his inspiring address, will you join me in thanking President Obama and asking him to redouble his efforts for equality? “We’ve got your back since you’ve got ours.”

WWW.HRC.ORG

President Obama is one of our most visible straight allies, and every pro-LGBT move he makes in the next few months is going to come with a heavy dose of political scrutiny.

You and I have watched as each of our victories turns radical, right-wing activists more livid and their attacks more vicious. Anti-equality legislators are going to continue to fight marriage equality in the states while trying to turn being pro-equality into a liability for the President. And far-right candidates will continue promoting their vision of a world where “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” is law again and hate crimes against our community don’t receive the attention they deserve.

It’s moments like these that I’m glad the President is standing so publicly in our corner – but I can’t thank him enough by myself.

Will you help me thank the President and remind him of the work that’s still to be done? Send your message to President Obama now. WWW.HRC.ORG

Every National Dinner, I reflect on the amazing community of supporters HRC is blessed with. Every victory we’ve ever accomplished is thanks to your calls, your letters, and your dedication. Thank you for your activism and your enthusiasm in the fight for equal rights.

Proudly,
WWW.HRC.ORG
Joe Solmonese
President, HRC

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

a message from President Obama … American JOBs ACT

10/03/2011 Nativegrl77

Oct 1, 2011 by whitehouse

President Obama discusses the letters he receives every day asking for action on jobs and calls on Congress to pass the American Jobs Act right away to cut taxes, create jobs and provide a win for the American people.

President Obama at the Human Rights Campaign‘s 15th
Annual National Dinner

Posted by Kasie Coccaro on October 02, 2011 at 10:24
AM EDT

President Barack Obama delivers remarks at the Human Rights Campaign Gala at
the Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. October 1, 2011. (Official
White House Photo by Samantha Appleton)

Yesterday, President Obama addressed
the 15th Annual Human Rights Campaign National Dinner at the Washington
Convention Center in Washington, DC. In his speech, the President stressed his
commitment to the cause of equality over the past two and a half years, and his
continuing support moving forward.

Now, I don’t have to tell you that we have a ways to go in
that struggle. I don’t have to tell you how many are still denied their basic
rights — Americans who are still made to feel like second-class citizens, who
have to live a lie to keep their jobs, or who are afraid to walk the street, or
down the hall at school. Many of you have devoted your lives to the cause of
equality. So you know what we have to do; we’ve got more work ahead of us.

But we can also be proud of the progress we’ve made these
past two and a half years. Think about it. Two years ago, I stood at this
podium, in this room, before many of you, and I made a pledge. I said I would
never counsel patience; that it wasn’t right to tell you to be patient any more
than it was right for others to tell African Americans to be patient in the
fight for equal rights a half century ago. But what I also said, that while it
might take time –- more time than anyone would like -– we are going to make
progress; we are going to succeed; we are going to build a more perfect
union

And so, let’s see what happened. I met with Judy Shepard. I
promised her we would pass a hate crimes bill named for her son, Matthew. And
with the help of my dear friend Ted Kennedy we got it done. Because it should
never be dangerous — you should never have to look over your shoulder — to be
gay in the United States of America. That’s why we got it done.

I met with Janice Langbehn, who was barred from the bedside
of the woman she loved as she lay dying. And I told her that we were going to
put a stop to this discrimination. And you know what? We got it done. I
issued an order so that any hospital in America that accepts Medicare or
Medicaid -– and that means just about every hospital -– has to treat gay
partners just as they do straight partners. Because nobody should have to
produce a legal contract to hold the hand of the person that they love. We got
that done.

I said that we would lift that HIV travel ban — we got that
done. We put in place the first comprehensive national strategy to fight
HIV/AIDS.

Many questioned whether we’d succeed in repealing “don’t
ask, don’t tell.” And, yes, it took two years to get the repeal through
Congress. We had to hold a coalition together. We had to keep up the pressure.
We took some flak along the way. But with the help of HRC, we got it done. And
“don’t ask, don’t tell” is history. And all over the world, there are men and
women serving this country just as they always have — with honor and courage
and discipline and valor. We got it done. We got that done. All around the
world, you’ve got gays and lesbians who are serving, and the only difference is
now they can put up a family photo. No one has to live a lie to serve the
country they love.

Moving forward, President Obama vowed to keep fighting for equality and asked
for help passing a repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act, as well as the
passage of an inclusive employment non-discrimination bill.

I vowed to keep up the fight against the so-called Defense
of Marriage Act. There’s a bill to repeal this discriminatory law in Congress,
and I want to see that passed. But until we reach that day, my administration
is no longer defending DOMA in the courts. I believe the law runs counter to
the Constitution, and it’s time for it to end once and for all. It should join
“don’t ask, don’t tell” in the history books.

So, yes, we have more work to do. And after so many years
— even decades — of inaction you’ve got every right to push against the slow
pace of change. But make no mistake — I want people to feel encouraged here —
we are making change. We’re making real and lasting change. We can be proud of
the progress we’ve already made.

And I’m going to continue to fight alongside you. And I
don’t just mean in your role, by the way, as advocates for equality. You’re
also moms and dads who care about the schools your children go to. You’re also
students figuring out how to pay for college. You’re also folks who are worried
about the economy and whether or not your partner or husband or wife will be
able to find a job. And you’re Americans who want this country to succeed and
prosper, and who are tired of the gridlock and the vicious partisanship, and are
sick of the Washington games. Those are your fights, too, HRC.

So I’m going to need your help. I need your help to fight
for equality, to pass a repeal of DOMA, to pass an inclusive employment
non-discrimination bill so that being gay is never again a fireable offense in
America. And I don’t have to tell you, there are those who don’t want to just
stand in our way but want to turn the clock back; who want to return to the days
when gay people couldn’t serve their country openly; who reject the progress
that we’ve made; who, as we speak, are looking to enshrine discrimination into
state laws and constitutions — efforts that we’ve got to work hard to oppose,
because that’s not what America should be about.

We’re not about restricting rights and restricting
opportunity. We’re about opening up rights and opening up opportunity —
(applause) — and treating each other generously and with love and
respect.

And together, we also have to keep sending a message to
every young person in this country who might feel alone or afraid because
they’re gay or transgender — who may be getting picked on or pushed around
because they’re different. We’ve got to make sure they know that there are
adults they can talk to; that they are never alone; that there is a whole world
waiting for them filled with possibility. That’s why we held a summit at the
White House on bullying. That’s why we’re going to continue to focus on this
issue. This isn’t just “kids being kids.” It’s wrong. It’s destructive. It’s
never acceptable. And I want all those kids to know that the President and the
First Lady is standing right by them every inch of the way. I want them to know
that we love them and care about them, and they’re not by themselves. That’s
what I want them to know.

Every single American — gay, straight, lesbian, bisexual,
transgender — every single American deserves to be treated equally in the eyes
of the law and in the eyes of our society.

I need your help to fight for equality, to pass a repeal of
DOMA, to pass an inclusive employment non-discrimination bill so that being gay
is never again a fireable offense in America.

Finally, the President expressed his hope for a more tolerant, just, equal
America and a more inexorable march towards a more perfect union.

We don’t believe in a small America. We don’t believe in
the kind of smallness that says it’s okay for a stage full of political leaders
— one of whom could end up being the President of the United States — being
silent when an American soldier is booed. We don’t believe in that. We don’t
believe in standing silent when that happens. We don’t believe in them being
silent since. You want to be Commander-in-Chief? You can start by standing up
for the men and women who wear the uniform of the United States, even when it’s
not politically convenient.

We don’t believe in a small America. We believe in a big
America — a tolerant America, a just America, an equal America — that values
the service of every patriot. We believe in an America where we’re all in it
together, and we see the good in one another, and we live up to a creed that is
as old as our founding: E pluribus unum. Out of many, one. And that includes
everybody. That’s what we believe. That’s what we’re going to be fighting
for.

I am confident that’s what the American people believe in.
I’m confident because of the changes we’ve achieved these past two and a half
years -– the progress that some folks said was impossible.

I am still hopeful, because of a deeper shift that we’re
seeing; a transformation not only written into our laws, but woven into the
fabric of our society.

It’s progress led not by Washington but by ordinary
citizens, who are propelled not just by politics but by love and friendship and
a sense of mutual regard. It’s playing out in legislatures like New York, and
courtrooms and in the ballot box. But it’s also happening around water coolers
and at the Thanksgiving table, and on Facebook and Twitter, and at PTA meetings
and potluck dinners, and church socials and VFW Halls.

It happens when a father realizes he doesn’t just love his
daughter, but also her wife. It happens when a soldier tells his unit that he’s
gay, and they tell him they knew it all along and they didn’t care, because he
was the toughest guy in the unit. It happens when a video sparks a movement to
let every single young person know they’re not alone, and things will get
better. It happens when people look past their ultimately minor differences to
see themselves in the hopes and struggles of their fellow human beings. That’s
where change is happening.

And that’s not just the story of the gay rights movement.
That’s the story of America — the slow, inexorable march towards a more perfect
union. You are contributing to that story, and I’m confident we can continue to
write another chapter together.

Thank you very much, everybody. God bless you.