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- Parte de Records of the Office of the Public Liaison (Clinton Administration), Elizabeth (Julian) Potter's files
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OCR Page 1 of 16THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
November 6, 2000
Warm greetings to everyone gathered for the 29th Anniversary
Ball of the L.A. Gay and Lesbian Center. I am pleased to join you
in congratulating John Schlesinger as he receives the Rand Schrader
Distinguished Achievement Award and Matt Blank as he is honored with
the Corporate Vision Award.
Each year, this event gives us an opportunity to reflect on
the progress we have made in promoting justice and equality for every
American and in overcoming the prejudice and discrimination that gays
and lesbians too often have had to face in the past. I am proud of
the efforts that my Administration has made to achieve these goals.
Today, more openly gay and lesbian individuals serve in senior posts
throughout the federal government than during any other Administration.
In 1998 I issued an executive order to prohibit discrimination in the
federal civilian workforce based on sexual orientation, and we continue
to fight for the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, which would outlaw
discrimination in the workplace based on sexual orientation.
Yet many challenges still lie before us. As we have learned
from recent tragedies, prejudice against gays and lesbians can still
erupt into acts of hatred and violence. But that hatred has no place
in America. All of us come from different backgrounds, races, and
cultures; but we share common values and common dreams, and we share
the same hope that we can build a national community that recognizes
our diversity as the source of strength that it is.
I thank all of you for raising your voices against intolerance
and for reminding your fellow citizens that we must work strongly
and decisively to prevent hate crimes and reject the prejudice that
spawns them. I continue to call on the Congress to pass meaningful
hate crimes legislation, and I know you stand with me in this effort.
I am confident that, working together, we can forge a more just and
unified national community, encouraging our citizens not simply to
tolerate our differences, but to celebrate them.
Best wishes for a wonderful evening.
Biu Crénton