[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 75 (Tuesday, May 18, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E862]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          RECOGNIZING THE GREATER SEATTLE BUSINESS ASSOCIATION

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JIM McDERMOTT

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 18, 2010

  Mr. McDERMOTT. Madam Speaker, today I rise to offer special 
recognition to the Greater Seattle Business Association (GSBA) as it 
celebrates the 20th anniversary of its Scholarship Fund for 
undergraduate students. For two decades, these scholarships have 
provided promise and support for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and 
Transgendered (LGBT) and Allied students with strong commitment to 
civil rights.
  In 1990, two teachers witnessed the challenges that confronted LGBT 
students as they pursued a college education, including discrimination 
from professors, harassment by other students, and unsupportive 
families. These teachers took matters into their own hands and created 
the GSBA Scholarship Fund, the first scholarship fund for LGBT students 
in the United States. That year, the GSBA gave two scholarships of 
$1,500 each. Since then, the Fund has grown significantly, and now 
grants a total of $135,000 in scholarships each year, with the 
individual scholarships ranging in size from $3,000 to $10,000.
  One thing that makes the Scholarship Fund so special is the diversity 
of the students it supports. GSBA scholars come from every corner of 
Washington State, from cities and from rural communities. They are 
people of color, male, female, and transgender. But no matter where 
they come from, these talented students have the drive and the passion 
to achieve great things in their lives. Indeed, former GSBA scholars 
have gone on to become doctors, social workers, teachers and public 
servants. And these scholars have continued to fight for social justice 
and equality for all, regardless of the careers they chose.
  This 20th anniversary marks a particularly special milestone for the 
GSBA Scholarship Fund--the awarding of its one millionth dollar to 
support the education of LGBT and Allied students. The unfailing 
dedication of time, money, and talent by GSBA leadership, members, and 
volunteers have made this achievement possible. I extend my thanks and 
best wishes to the GSBA and its outstanding scholars on their twenty 
years of changing lives and creating hope.

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