[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 128 (Wednesday, September 22, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1708]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


        CELEBRATING THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE PRIDE FOUNDATION

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                           HON. JIM McDERMOTT

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 22, 2010

  Mr. McDERMOTT. Madam Speaker, I rise today to offer special 
recognition of the Pride Foundation on the occasion of its 25th 
anniversary. Since 1985, the Pride Foundation, through creation and 
administration of a vibrant lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) 
charitable legacy, has helped to unify and to strengthen the Northwest 
LGBT and allied communities.
  In 1985, nonprofit organizations serving the needs of the LGBT 
community were rare. Those that did exist struggled for financial 
stability while also facing daunting challenges, not the least of which 
was the emergence of HIV/AIDS. At that time, no scholarships existed to 
help LGBT students pursue higher education. To address these 
challenges, a small group of concerned citizens founded the LGBT 
community's own philanthropic organization. The Pride Foundation 
created an endowment that would be prudently managed and professionally 
administered--a place where the LGBT community and its supporters could 
confidently contribute knowing full well that their donations would not 
only be used in accordance with the donor's wishes, but would also 
leave an enduring legacy for future generations.
  In 1987, the Pride Foundation awarded its first organization grants, 
totaling $7,654. Today, the Foundation grants hundreds of thousands of 
dollars every year. In 1993, the Pride Foundation started its 
scholarship program, giving $3,680 the first year. Since then, the 
program has become one of the nation's largest LGBT scholarship funds. 
To date, the Pride Foundation has raised and invested more than $8 
million in hundreds of nonprofit organizations and individual students. 
In recent years, the Pride Foundation has broadened its reach beyond 
Seattle to the entire State of Washington as well as to Alaska, Idaho, 
Montana, and Oregon.
  The Pride Foundation has enriched tens of thousands of lives, and has 
touched those who give and those who receive. It has sustained 
countless students, strengthened many valued non-profit organizations, 
and helped to improve the quality of life in the Pacific Northwest. 
Today, I rise to offer my thanks and congratulations to the Pride 
Foundation for 25 years of inspiring work and a legacy that will impact 
generations to come.

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