Martin De Leon

Officials Certify Repeal Of Don't Ask, Don't Tell

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Adm. Mike Mullen and President Obama certified the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell. That's a crucial step that will lead to the end of the law that barred homosexuals from serving openly in the U.S. military. Michele Norris talks to NPR's Rachel Martin, who has the latest from the Pentagon.

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MICHELE NORRIS, host:

The military's 18-year-old ban on gays serving openly in the military is one big step closer to being taken off the books. Today, Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta, Chairman of Joints Chief Admiral Mike Mullen and President Obama all signed the certification to repeal don't ask, don't tell. NPR's Rachel Martin joins me now from the Pentagon. Rachel, explain exactly what was certified today.

RACHEL MARTIN: Well, Michele, remember back in December of this past year, President Obama signed a bill that authorized the repeal of don't ask, don't tell, but that bill permitting repeal hinged on a couple of things. First, the Pentagon wanted to make sure it could prepare the entire U.S. military for this policy change. And they've been spending the last several months doing sensitivity trainings for service members around the world.

Second, all of the military service chiefs had to sign off on this, promising the repeal would not affect military readiness or unit cohesion, and that happened a couple of weeks ago.

NORRIS: Rachel, help us understand what happens now. If you're a gay soldier, can you come out of the closet tomorrow without getting discharged?

MARTIN: Well, technically, the ban is still on the books. But now that the president has signed the final certification, that triggers a 60-day waiting period. So, 60 days from now - September 20 the ban is over; but the Pentagon has been facing some legal challenges over the constitutionality of don't ask, don't tell - so, military leaders have pretty much stopped enforcing the ban.

Michele, from the beginning, top leaders from the Pentagon have said that repeal would be slow but it would be a deliberate process. Been too slow, according to some gay rights advocates but those same groups today are hailing this as a victory.

NORRIS: Rachel, thank you very much.

MARTIN: You're very welcome.

NORRIS: That's NPR's Rachel Martin at the Pentagon.

Texas History Page: 2011 Martin de Leon Reunion and Symposium

This year, which is also the 175th anniversary of Texas' Independence, the reunion will celebrate the family's significance in Texas history, including a monument dedication in Victoria's Market Square commemorating Placido Benavides' influence on Texas history, and the 25th Annual Martin de Leon Symposium, held in conjunction with the University of Houston-Victoria and the de Leon Club. Victoria is one of the state's oldest cities. Victoria County is the only county in Texas where all famed six flags have flown. In the wake of the Mexican Revolution in 1821, twenty six applications were submitted for colonization grants. Only half were approved. Martin de Leon's application was approved in April of 1824. Of those approved, only de Leon and Stephen F. Austin fulfilled the terms of their contracts. Martin de Leon laid out the city according to century-old Spanish colonization law and brought families to Texas to settle the new colony. Martin de Leon had four sons and six daughters. All of his children were born in Texas, except his eldest son, Don Fernando de Leon, who was born in Mexico. The de Leon family reunion brings together descendants from all over the United States for fellowship and to share the family legacy. As part of the festivities, the City of Victoria and the Victoria County Historical Commission will place a monument on Market Square honoring the historic stand that Placido Benavides, as their first alcalde, took in 1835 against Mexico. According to historical evidence, a Mexican officer came to Victoria to arrest Benavides' brother-in-law, Jose Maria de Jesus Carvajal. Benavides stated that he was a constitutional officer - not subject to the army of Santa Anna, and would not turn Carvajal over to him. The officer departed empty handed, but returned the next day and explained that he was not happy with the Mexican governement either. This, along with many events in this region of Texas, exemplified the people's unhappiness with Mexican rule under Santa Anna, which eventually led to Texas Independence. Another public event - the 25th annual Martin de Leon Symposium on the Humanities - is slated for Saturday, April 9, 2011 at the Leo J. Welder Center for the Performing Arts in conjunction with the University of Houston-Victoria and the de Leon Club. The event is free and open to the public. Presentations will be made by J. F. de la Teja, Ph.D., Joseph E. Chance, Ph.D. and Carolina Castillo Crimm, Ph.D.

Martín de Léon, Tejano empresario

The empresario Don Martin de Leon

De León, a Tejano family history

The Southwestern reporter

Annual report of the American Historical Association