[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 67 (Tuesday, May 14, 1996)]
[House]
[Pages H4922-H4925]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     QUESTION OF PERSONAL PRIVILEGE

  Mr. GUNDERSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise on a question of personal 
privilege.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair is aware of the insertion into the 
Congressional Record and believes the gentleman raises a question of 
personal privilege.
  The gentleman from Wisconsin [Mr. Gunderson] is recognized for 1 
hour.
  Mr. GUNDERSON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  (Mr. GUNDERSON asked and was given permission to revise and extend 
his remarks.)
  Mr. GUNDERSON. Mr. Speaker, last week, in a ``Dear Colleague'' 
communication with the Members of Congress and in an extension of 
remarks printed in the Congressional Record and, again, in remarks 
included in a special order at the end of congressional business, 
Congressman Bob Dornan raised

[[Page H4923]]

questions about me and my sponsorship of an event in a Federal 
Government building.
  The gentleman from California has every right to dislike me if he so 
chooses. But he has no right to misrepresent the facts, nor the motives 
of others in this, his latest, attempt to smear the gay community. 
Today, I take this time to set the record straight. I apologize to my 
colleagues for using valuable floor time in a busy legislative week, 
but in this circumstance, I have no choice. This is a much bigger issue 
than a personal or ideological dispute. This is a question of whether 
individuals in American society should be able to intentionally 
misrepresent the facts, question others' motives, and intentionally 
falsify information in an attempt to discredit other elements of 
society. If there is to remain any element of mutual respect in a 
diverse society, we must reject intentional efforts to personally 
destroy those with whom we might disagree.
  Mr. Dornan uses an article by a free-lance journalist Marc Marano and 
a video tape produced by the Family Research Council to portray a 
recent series of events held in this town, in government buildings, as 
a party of numerous illegal activities. Nothing could be further from 
the truth. Here is the entire story, with the facts.
  Early this year, four young professional men from the Washington-
Baltimore area decided they wanted to ``do something to make a 
difference.'' These gentlemen, in their twenties, are Kenny Eggerl, a 
producer and owner of KSE Productions--a sales meetings, special 
events, and fashion show company; David Parham, a director of public 
policy and education for the Urban Land Institute; Ryan Peal, an 
account executive with Hill & Knowlton; and Bill Pullen, a manager of 
rehab services at Mid Atlantic medical Services, Inc. They felt the 
younger generation was not yet doing its part, especially in the fight 
against AIDS. Their generation is unable financially to support most 
large fund raising dinners in this town. So they decided to create a 
weekend of low-dollar events which many could afford. Because of the 
popularity of dance events, they chose this avenue for the focus of 
their activities. Because the availability of buildings centered 
around the weekend of April 12-14, they called the event Cherry Jubilee 
in honor of the cherry blossoms decorating this town at the time.

  Tickets for the events met these financial concerns. Individual 
tickets were $20 for the Friday night dance; $35 for the Saturday night 
dance; and $25 for the Sunday morning brunch. In the end approximately 
$130,000 was raised. Expenses, I am told, will finalize at between 
$70,000 and $80,000. The net proceeds then will be $50,000 to $60,000 
raised for two AIDS service organizations: Whitman-Walker Health 
Clinic, and Food and Friends. Most citizens should be very proud of 
these efforts and the services they will provide. This was a gift of 
love, not a weekend of illegal activity. It was a human response of 
charity, not a call for more Federal funds. It should be an undertaking 
that both Democrats and Republicans are proud of. I dare say if more 
such events were held across the country, we could find ways to meet 
the needs of our fellow man while still balancing the Federal budget!
  Friday night, April 12 kicked off the weekend with a dance at a club 
called Diversite'. Approximately 800 attended. There were no reports of 
violence or illegal activity.
  Saturday night--April 13; the main event was held at the Mellon 
Auditorium part of the Department of Commerce. This place had been 
recommended to the sponsors by a mutual friend. All of the proper paper 
work required by the Department was completed and the arrangements were 
finalized. A liability contract was signed for the evening. A total of 
nine security personnel were obtained. Security was primarily 
contracted through a security agency approved by the Commerce 
Department. The final security detail included nine individuals; two 
Federal security personnel, six security officers approved by the 
Department through private contract, and an off-duty policeman. The 
auditorium was rented by the hour, for a total cost of $7,500 plus 
$1,600 for cleaning afterward. In addition, a building engineer and a 
building representative were on duty during the entire time.
  Approximately 2,000 attended the dance. In addition to the security 
detail mentioned above, approximately 30 event volunteers assisted the 
sponsors in managing the event. Food and Friends provided eight 
individuals to assist with tickets and such at the entrance. Whitman-
Walker, who served as the fiscal agent, provided three individuals to 
collect and handle the money throughout the night.
  Sunday morning, a brunch was held in the Rayburn Courtyard. I had 
been asked if I would obtain a space that might be used as a part of 
the weekend's activities to benefit Whitman-Walker and Food and 
Friends. Because these events were in Washington, and some of the 
attendees would be from out of town, the sponsors desired a place which 
helped to portray our Nation's Capitol. I was happy to be of 
assistance. The event was held from 1 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, April 14th 
in the Courtyard of the Rayburn Office Building. Approximately 500 
attended the event. Capitol Hill uniformed police frequently walked 
through the event. Absolutely no trouble occurred or was reported by 
anyone. The sponsors made sure everyone understood they were in the 
offices of the U.S. Congress. Proper dress and decorum were maintained 
at all times.

  Mr. Dornan refers to an article written by Marc Marano as the basis 
for his allegations. Some things should be understood. Mr. Marano is a 
free lance journalist who often works as a material source for so-
called conservative journalists. To our knowledge, no mainstream press 
ran Mr. Marano's story. He never once tried to interview me or any of 
the event's sponsors. Nor did he talk to any of the security personnel, 
nor the responsible authorities at the Department of Commerce. 
Throughout his entire story, not one source is ever identified or 
quoted. The only knowledge we have of the story being published is in 
Human Events, and as a basis for a column by columnist Armstrong 
Williams. According to that column, Mr. Marano was hired by the Family 
Research Council to do the investigation. The Family Research Council 
produced a video tape regarding the event.
  There is no record that Mr. Marano purchased tickets for any of the 
events. He clearly did not use his own name and address at any time. 
Nor did he seek to obtain any press credentials for the events. Rather 
he chose to go undercover, unaccounted for, and free to discover his 
own story. Personally, I am disappointed that he chose to misrepresent 
himself, and his profession in an attempt to find material to use 
against others in society. I wish he had the courage, honesty, and 
decency to simply buy the tickets under his own name, or pursue the 
story through legitimate journalistic procedures.
  Mr. Marano says in his story, he ``proceeded on assignment into the 
gay world for an undercover investigation.'' I also wish the Family 
Research Council had been willing to honestly ask for press credentials 
and cover the weekend. Honesty is something this town and this debate 
both need.
  But fact is not the basis for the story. Rather hate and prejudice 
are the motives by which Mr. Marano and Mr. Williams sought to totally 
misrepresent the fund raising events and their purpose. Allow me to 
respond to specific allegations in Mr. Marano's article published and 
circulated by Mr. Dornan.
  Allegation: ``The dance party featured public nudity, illegal sexual 
activity, and evidence of illegal drugs.''
  The facts: Absolutely no one other than Mr. Marano makes such 
allegations. Not one complaint was filed by a security officer, nor 
were any complaints lodged with them. Security personnel had been given 
full authority to remove anyone for misconduct; not one person was 
asked to leave. There is no evidence of even a fight among the 2,000 
dance attendees.
  The sponsors intentionally took steps to prevent even the atmosphere 
conducive to illegal activity. The security personnel and volunteers 
were strategically placed throughout the entire room to make sure 
nothing happened. Three foot by four foot posters were placed 
throughout the auditorium and the restrooms with the message: The 
possession or use of illegal substances is strictly prohibited. A 
$14,000 lighting system was purchased to make sure the room was both 
decorative and

[[Page H4924]]

well-lit. I would point out to those who watched parts of the Family 
Research video that the filming occurred without any camera lighting. 
This should make clear there was no place dark enough for the alleged 
illegal activity to occur. Nor does the video show any illegal 
activity. If the video was produced undercover, without lights, is 
there any doubt such illegal activity would have been filmed if it 
actually occurred? I don't think so.

  Allegation: ``A Federal building, the Andrew Mellon Auditorium played 
host to the dance and was the backdrop for the illegal activity.''
  The facts: Again, there is no evidence by anyone, including all 
security personnel and authorities at the Department of Commerce, of 
any illegal activity.
  Allegation: ``The sponsors included Gay Republican Steve Gunderson of 
Wisconsin.''
  The facts: The four individuals mentioned earlier, were the sponsors 
through a nonprofit organization called Friends being Friends. Numerous 
corporations sponsored part of the financial costs of the weekend. My 
sole role was to serve as the congressional host for the Sunday Brunch 
by requesting a space in my name. Publicity for the event gave special 
thanks to me, and to 17 others, for their assistance.
  On Friday and Saturday, I was actually in Wisconsin. I returned to 
Washington Saturday night, but did not attend the dance. On Sunday 
morning, if you want to know, I attended church. In the afternoon, Rob 
Morris and I attended the brunch. We brought a close friend, and former 
Capitol Hill staffer, who now has AIDS. We purchased our tickets for 
this event.
  Allegation: ``The homosexual community's credo seems to be `Die young 
and leave a pretty corpse'.''
  The facts: This is the journalism of bigotry and prejudice. It has no 
place in American society in the 1990's. It has nothing to do with an 
event organized to raise private funds for AIDS Care Organizations, or 
a story of the event. People with AIDS don't die pretty--they suffer 
the worst possible pain and illness, as their bodies wither away to 
nothing. One would hope that 15 years and over 300,000 deaths into this 
epidemic, we would all have a better understanding of the disease. I 
invite Mr. Marano, and Mr. Dornan, to come visit the victims of this 
disease. In so doing, they will learn these are not some faceless 
pretty corpses. Rather, they are the sons, and brothers, and uncles, 
and lovers, and friends of the greater American family. Tragically, in 
increasing numbers they are also the mothers, and sisters, and 
daughters of America, as well.

  Allegation: ``At about 4 a.m., two men proceeded to engage in illicit 
sexual behavior in the main auditorium.''
  The facts: Absolutely no one but Mr. Marano claims to have seen this 
incident. But one must wonder why he did not film it. One must wonder 
why he did not report it to security. Sexual acts are not instantaneous 
occurrences. Why is no one willing to come forth as witness to this 
event other than Mr. Marano, who admits to being on an assignment? 
According to the organizers, security and the volunteers were placed at 
every possible place in the auditorium to prevent even the remote 
possibility of this type of incident from happening.
  Allegation: ``A battle between security and partygoers erupted over 
the restroom lights.''
  The facts: The main restrooms for the event were in the basement. 
Because of this, security personnel were placed there from the 
beginning of the event and throughout the evening to prevent any kind 
of occurrence. Security reported no fights, no harassment, no drugs, no 
smoking, nor any sexual activity. Security made no reports of illegal 
activity or trouble. At my request, the organizers of the event 
contacted the responsible authority at the Department of Commerce just 
yesterday to confirm this information.
  Second, the security system for the evening included person-to-person 
communication through headsets so that each security guard might know 
anything that was happening. At no time during the entire event, did a 
complaint come over the headsets indicating a problem between 
partygoers and security.
  Allegation: ``Despite the flaunting of public nudity, illicit sexual 
activity, illegal drug use, and pornography * * * law enforcement never 
intervened.''
  The facts: Conveniently, only Mr. Marano claims to have seen this 
illegal activity. He feels compelled to discuss a S/M conference that 
apparently occurred in 1993 in the same building. He then links that 
unconnected event to the dance and concludes that the same activities 
occurred during both events. According to those who attended, the 
allegation of pornography at the dance is without basis. Given the 
purpose of the dance event, discussion of S/M or pornography has no 
place in an article summarizing the weekend's activities.
  As mentioned numerous times before, law enforcement never intervened 
because there was no basis for intervention.
  Allegation: ``Every conceivable isolated spot became a dilemma for 
security. Security officers had to dilegently watch the outside 
courtyard stairwell in the smoking area. The steps led to a dark alley 
on the side of the building where many of the men were congregating. * 
* * Orange cones were erected to close the area off, as a security 
officer was assigned to stand watch.''
  The facts: If Mr. Marano had interviewed any of the event sponsors 
before writing his story, he would have discovered the total error of 
his perceptions. First, the dance event was sold out. Fire code would 
not allow any more in the auditorium. Accordingly, security monitored 
the back entrance to prevent people from entering without tickets. 
Second, the orange cones alluded to were placed there by a construction 
company to block access to their construction. They had nothing to do 
with the dance. Finally, security guards were placed in the alley, near 
the far door for two reasons. First, this was the room where all the 
money was being handled and stored. Second, this entrance was also used 
for supplies and garbage. Thus, there was much traffic in and out 
during the evening. Security was there to make sure only the right 
people used this entrance, and no one without credentials had access to 
the money room.
  Mr. Speaker, the gentleman from California has sought to question my 
integrity and that of the sponsors of Cherry Jubilee through 
misrepresentation of the facts and distortion of the events surrounding 
that weekend, and their purposes. He has every right in a free society 
to pursue his opposition to those of us who happen to be gay. He has no 
right to misrepresent the facts, nor distort information, in a 
desperate attempt to smear an element of society he dislikes.
  While I am proud of the efforts of these four young men to raise 
private funds for people in need, my personal involvement in this 
weekend was very limited. I secured the space for the Sunday brunch. My 
partner and I attended the brunch, first to support the cause, and 
second to make sure we could refute any ill-founded allegations if they 
were to come forth. I would point out to my colleagues that the Rayburn 
Courtyard is consumed in sunlight between the hours of 1 and 4 in the 
afternoon. I would further point out that the space is created by four 
walls with oversized windows on six floors. On one side alone, there 
exist 45 oversized windows. There was certainly no attempt to hide 
anything, or in anyway misuse Federal property.
  I rise today, in a question of privilege, not for myself but for 
others. First, I rise in defense of the four young men who worked 
tirelessly throughout the spring to produce this event. They are all 
professionals, in their own right, who did this out of their concern 
for, and love for, those suffering from AIDS. They raised $60,000 in 
new resources that we won't have to finance with Federal funds. Every 
conservative and every Republican should applaud such efforts.
  Their efforts do not deserve to be misrepresented as they have been 
by Mr. Dornan, Mr. Marano, and Mr. Williams. The facts simply state 
otherwise.
  Second, I rise in defense of those in need of these services. We 
often talk in this chamber about the declining morals of American 
society. I would remind my colleagues of those words from the New 
Testament, ``Thou shalt love thy Lord, they God, with all thy heart, 
thy soul, and mind. This is the greatest of all commandments. And thou 
shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.

[[Page H4925]]

This is the second greatest commandment of all.''
  The Greater Washington area, today, unfortunately has the largest 
concentration of HIV positive people in the country. This is at the 
same time, a city suffering from financial bankruptcy. Few, if any, 
have suffered from this financial mismanagement as have the AIDS 
service organizations. No place in America needs the charity and help 
of the individual citizens more than in this area, for this cause.
  Cherry Jubilee represented the best of the American tradition; it was 
the classic public private-partnership to help those who cannot help 
themselves.
  Cherry Jubilee represented the best of the American family. If family 
means ``unconditional love'' then no group has rallied to care for its 
own, more than the American gay community. When others cast the AIDS 
victims out of their houses, out of their communities, and out of their 
churches; the gay community raised unparalleled funds to meet the needs 
of its victims.
  Cherry Jubilee represented the best of America's Judao-Christian 
ethic. They saw the least of these among us, who needed food, and 
clothing, and shelter. And through such events as this, they tried to 
provide it. They became the love of God personified, as they became 
their brothers' keepers.
  And yes, Mr. Dornan, they pursued a Republican solution to a domestic 
problem. They didn't demonstrate on the steps of the Capitol for more 
Federal funds. They didn't ask for more Federal mandates upon the local 
community. Rather, they took it upon themselves to become a part of the 
solution. They did it on their own. They were one of George Bush's 
thousand points of light. They were one of Newt Gingrich's shining 
lights upon a hill. They heard Bob Dole tell them to ``do all they 
could, and then some.'' And that is what they did.
  This country desperately needs its people to stop the yelling, and 
simply ask, ``How can I help?'' May I suggest that to begin, we stop 
questioning other people's motives. Second, may I suggest that we seek 
the facts, all the facts, before we make unfounded accusations. The 
sponsors of these events are willing to do it again, if there is 
support. But if all this should reap is misrepresentation, controversy, 
and lies, they will simply stop. In that case, either we at the Federal 
level must increase our financial payments, or the victims must suffer 
even more.
  Let us as leaders set the right example by our words, and our 
conduct. And I hope that in a small way, this time has served to 
correct the inaccuracies and distortions about this event, its 
activities, and my role therein.

                          ____________________