[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 126 (Monday, September 12, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: September 12, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
            RAWLEY FARNSWORTH: POSITIVE ROLE MODEL FOR GAYS

                                 ______


                          HON. LYNN C. WOOLSEY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 12, 1994

  Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a true role 
model for gay, lesbian, and bisexual youth across the Nation, Rawley 
Farnsworth.
  On Oscar night, March 21, 1994, it was Tom Hanks who paid tribute to 
Rawley Farnsworth before a television audience of a billion people. 
Rawley Farnsworth, he said, taught him to ``act well the part--there 
all the glory lies.''
  It was Rawley Farnsworth who first taught Hanks the basics of acting 
and inspired him to strive for excellence in his profession. That 
effort, which began in Skyline High School in Oakland, where Farnsworth 
taught Hanks, culminated in the Best Actor Oscar that Hanks recently 
received for his role in the critically acclaimed film, 
``Philadelphia.''
  On August 26, 1994, the Triangle Alliance of Marin, a major new gay 
and lesbian rights organization in my district, is also honoring Rawley 
Farnsworth by bestowing on him the first annual Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual 
Role Model/Mentor Award.
  This award is of the utmost importance, because it not only 
recognizes the accomplishments of exceptional role models like Rawley 
Farnsworth, but it also recognizes the urgent need for positive role 
models for gay youth. As Rawley Farnsworth himself has said, ``Young 
gay [people] need someone whose footsteps they can follow, someone they 
can respect. Many young gays think homosexuality is a curse. They need 
to learn that they can accomplish as much as someone in the straight 
community.''
  That is exactly what Rawley Farnsworth's career was all about. 
Throughout his outstanding career as a drama teacher, Farnsworth taught 
his students how to excel in their profession. His efforts not only 
helped create a superstar, Tom Hanks, whose performances have touched 
us all, but they also inspired and motivated countless other young 
people who have gone on to make more of themselves than would otherwise 
have been the case.
  Mr. Speaker, a true role model inspires us and teaches us to use our 
natural talents in ways that we would otherwise not be able. And in 
this way, Rawley Farnsworth has been a role model to all of us. He has 
shown us the way, through courage, fortitude, and hard work, to enrich 
our lives and reach for the stars.
  While much progress has been made in recent years, growing up gay in 
America is still extremely difficult. But because of the valiant 
efforts of people like Rawley Farnsworth, that process is becoming 
easier for gay youth across the Nation. And because of people like him, 
we can begin to dream about a day in which gays, lesbians, and 
bisexuals will truly enjoy the same rights and the same opportunities 
as all citizens of this Nation.
  Mr. Speaker, the Triangle Alliance of Marin deserves to be commended 
for recognizing the importance of role models and mentors in the lives 
of gay, lesbian, and bisexual youth. And Rawley Farnsworth is deeply 
deserving of the award he is receiving today. There is nothing more 
worthy of honor than the noble act of helping our young people achieve 
their very best in this Nation. Not only is Rawley Farnsworth deeply 
deserving of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual Role Model/Mentor Award, he is 
deeply deserving of thanks from all Americans who value the future of 
our children.

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