[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 169 (Friday, December 7, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2224]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  IN HONOR OF MATTHEW FOREMAN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE EMPIRE STATE 
                              PRIDE AGENDA

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JERROLD NADLER

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, December 6, 2001

  Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Matthew Foreman 
for his dedicated and talented leadership of the Empire State Pride 
Agenda (ESPA), New York's statewide lesbian and gay political 
organization. Under Matt's leadership, ESPA has made significant 
strides in empowering the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender 
community and protecting civil rights for all New Yorkers.
  The Empire State Pride Agenda strives to end discrimination on the 
basis of sexual orientation. They have worked to secure equality for 
gay men, lesbians and their families and communities and to promote 
their political, economic, cultural, and social well being. In the four 
years that Matt has served as Executive Director of ESPA, the 
organization has been a driving force in ensuring the rights of gay and 
lesbian New Yorkers: in negotiating New York City's comprehensive 
domestic partner law; passing a statewide hate crimes law; repealing a 
150-year old consensual sodomy statute; obtaining nearly $6 million in 
state funding for lesbian and gay health and human services; and in 
enacting local non-discrimination laws and policies in Buffalo, Ithaca, 
Nassau County, and Westchester County.
  Prior to joining the Pride Agenda in 1997, Matt served as Executive 
Director of the NYC Gay and Lesbian Anti-Violence Project, the nation's 
leading lesbian and gay crime victim assistance agency. He is a founder 
of the Heritage of Pride, which organizes New York City's Gay Pride 
events, including the world-famous annual Pride Parade down Fifth 
Avenue. He also served for many years on the board of Dignity/NY, an 
organization of lesbian and gay Roman Catholics. Those who have had the 
pleasure of working with Matt know of his tremendous energy and 
heartfelt dedication to his work. A man of unusual integrity and drive, 
we New Yorkers--gay and straight alike--have each benefited from his 
leadership in the fight for equal rights and equal protection under the 
law. I am proud to have joined him in many of those fights, and I am 
pleased to stand here today to thank Matt for his tireless work. I wish 
him all the best in his future endeavors.

                          ____________________