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For Immediate Release
November 8, 2007 |
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Shays Supports Passage
of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Christopher Shays (CT-4)
one of the authors of H.R. 3685, the Employment Non-Discrimination
Act (ENDA) voted for the bill yesterday when it passed the
House by a vote of 235 to 184. Shays is an original cosponsor
of the bill, which forbids employment discrimination on the
basis of sexual orientation.
The following is Mr. Shays’ statement:
Madam Speaker, the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA)
is a common-sense solution to a very serious problem in the
workplace. It prohibits employers from making decisions about
hiring, firing, promoting or compensating an employee based
on sexual orientation and makes clear that preferential treatment
and quotas are strictly prohibited, and that no claims will
be permitted based on statistics about gays and lesbians in
the workforce.
Until the 109th Congress, ENDA had been reintroduced in every
Congress since 1994.
Our staff members’ sexual orientation is no business
of ours, and is irrelevant to their ability to perform the
job.
One frequent objection to ENDA is that it would extend "special
rights" to homosexuals.
That is simply not the case.
Gays and lesbians don't want special rights, they want the
same as other Americans: equal protection under the law.
And they deserve no less.
ENDA supporter and former Senator Barry Goldwater wrote:
There was no gay exemption in the right to "life, liberty,
and the pursuit of happiness." Job discrimination against
gays -- or anybody else -- is contrary to each of these founding
principles. Anybody who cares about real moral values understands
that this isn’t about granting special rights it’s
about protecting basic rights.
Paul Allaire, the former Chairman of the Board of Directors
for Xerox, which is headquartered in Stamford, recognized
the importance of non-discrimination policies when he wrote:
We view diversity awareness and acceptance as enablers to
increased productivity. We strive to create an atmosphere
where all employees are encouraged to contribute to their
fullest potential. Fear of reprisals on the basis of sexual
orientation only serves to undermine that goal.
When ENDA is passed -- a process that may take some time
-- working Americans who happen to be gay or lesbian will
only have to prove themselves in the workplace and the employment
market on the basis of their talents and abilities, just like
other Americans.
They will be able to do so without fear of dismissal for
any reason unrelated to the workplace.
Contact: Dave Natonski , 202/225-5541
Contact:
Sarah Moore, 202/225-5541
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