The Golden Rule is a great rule to live by, and more of us need to practice it. I pride myself on the work I have done in support of civil rights. I was honored to receive a 100 percent rating from the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights in October 2008, and I speak out on these issues whenever I have the opportunity, both in Washington and on the Central Coast.

Below is a statement I made on the Floor of the House of Representatives on April 23, 2008, in support of the National Day of Silence. Click here to watch the video.

"Madame Speaker, I rise today in observance of a National Day of Silence and in strong support of H. Con. Res. 328.

Tomorrow marks the 12th annual National Day of Silence, a day where students remain silent for a day to highlight the discrimination some of their peers endure when they speak out about their sexual orientation and their personal gender identity. Though the United States has made huge progress towards ensuring civil rights for all its citizens, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals still face persecution often violent, from teachers, school officials, and their classmates in our schools. This year, the National Day of Silence will be held in memory of Lawrence King, an 8th grade student in California who was shot and killed by one of his classmates because of sexual orientation.

Our country was founded on the ideal of equality for all, with the self-evident right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. We must always be mindful that our nation's history is a chronicle of the blending of many formerly separate cultures and languages, ideas and lifestyles, into one American identity that celebrates its diversity. The National Day of Silence recognizes that diversity is a cornerstone of American democracy -- that all people are individuals and have a right to be treated with dignity and respect.

I look forward to a time where anti-GLBT harassment is no longer a problem in our schools. But until that happens, I am pleased to celebrate those students who recognize and appreciate the diversity of their classmates. I urge my colleagues to support H. Con. Res. 328."

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