Activist Jacob Reitan posted a Facebook status noting that Congressman Tim Walz, the highest ranking enlisted soldier to ever serve in Congress, will speak for the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell. AWalz spokester in the Washington office confirmed that Walz is scheduled to speak.
Watch the debate via streaming video on CSPAN.
Update: I'm still waiting for the Walz office to post video of the floor speech, but Andy Birkey at the Minnesota Independent has posted a partial transcript of the remarks:
“I am offended by the idea and the notion that they are able to handle change in policy,” Walz told his House colleagues. “These men and women make up the greatest fighting force the world has ever seen. They accept and complete missions every day that require incredible discipline and bravery.”
He called for the repeal saying that DADT was harming, not helping, the military.
“This discriminatory policy is hurting our military readiness and weakening our nation, such as releasing dozens of Arabic linguists simply because they were homosexual,” he said. “Serving in the military we believe in duty, honor and country. asking these brave people to lie goes against all of our value. Our military heroes know it’s time to end this policy, the American people know it’s time to end this policy.”
Contrary to what Republicans were saying on the floor in the debate over the adoption of rules for the debate, hearing have been held and the issue has been studied. The DOD has now completed the study of the issue Walz talked about in his floor statement in back in May:
Let's do the right thing, and repeal DADT.
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