[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 102 (Friday, July 20, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1385-E1386]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 IN HONOR OF AMBASSADOR JAMES C. HORMEL

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. NANCY PELOSI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 19, 2001

  Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a 
distinguished, accomplished man who by devoting his life to public 
service has become a champion for social justice, a leader in his 
community, and an example of courage for us all. Today, Thursday, July 
19 in my district in San Francisco, the American Civil Liberties Union 
will honor Ambassador James C. Hormet with the 2001 On The Frontline 
Award. He is most deserving of this award and I am proud to acknowledge 
his contributions on this occasion.
  Ambassador Hormel graduated from Swarthmore College and received his 
J.D. from the University of Chicago Law School where he later served as 
the Dean of Students. He also established the James C. Hormel Public 
Service Program at the University, which encourages law students to 
venture into public service.
  Ambassador Hormel has spent a lifetime fighting sexual orientation 
discrimination. He helped originate the Human Rights Campaign, the 
country's largest gay and lesbian political organization. For the last 
two decades, Mr. Hormet has assisted many local and national AIDS 
organizations, including San Francisco AIDS Foundation, Project Open 
Hand, AIDS Emergency Fund and Shanti Project.
  In 1996, the San Francisco Public Library opened the James C. Hormel 
Gay & Lesbian Center. Mr. Hormel's generous donation kicked off a major 
fundraising campaign and created an endowment to ensure the center's 
continuing development.
  Ambassador Hormel was nominated to serve as Ambassador to Luxembourg. 
Mr. Hormel lived in the glare of the spotlight but he did not shy away 
from the intense inspection of his personal life. He remained graceful,

[[Page E1386]]

poised and courageous. On June 29, 1999 James Hormel was sworn in as 
U.S. Ambassador to Luxembourg by Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, 
thus becoming the first and only openly gay Ambassador in United States 
history. He served his term with great distinction. Mr. Hormel is an 
inspiration to us all.
  I join Jim's partner, Timothy Wu, and his five children, Alison, 
Anne, Diz, Sarah, and James Jr. in recognizing the achievements of my 
constituent and dear friend, Ambassador James C. Hormel, and 
acknowledging his contributions and on-going commitment to human 
rights, social justice and the betterment of our nation.

                          ____________________