[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 72 (Friday, May 18, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E860]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          HONORING HARVEY MILK

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ADAM E. SCHIFF

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 18, 2012

  Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of 
Harvey Milk in recognition of the third annual Harvey Milk Day which 
will be celebrated on May 22nd. As we come together, let us remember 
that this day is not only a celebration of this incredible leader, it 
is also a day to recognize every American who believes in Harvey's 
visionary fight for equality in this great nation.
  Harvey entered politics late in life, after becoming frustrated with 
San Francisco politics and widespread discrimination against gay 
individuals. In 1977, Harvey won a seat on the San Francisco Board of 
Supervisors, marking the first time an openly gay man had been elected 
to public office in California. He quickly became one of the world's 
most high profile openly gay elected officials, and used his influence 
to encourage and support the LGBT and minority communities around him. 
Harvey was dedicated to building support for real change, and to 
ensuring that no group was unrepresented or unheard. Although Harvey 
was only in office for less than a year, his tenure had a massive and 
lasting influence on thousands of lives both inside and outside of San 
Francisco. His life became an example of the difference one committed 
individual can make in their community, and Harvey's was a welcome 
turning point for LGBT individuals in San Francisco and beyond.
  Today, we have many more opportunities to follow Harvey's example. 
But first, we must reaffirm our commitment to LGBT rights, and the 
right of every American citizen to be a free and equal member of our 
society.
  Recently, we have taken great strides towards this goal. We have 
increased protection against hate crimes motivated by a person's sexual 
orientation, fought against employment discrimination against LGBT 
individuals, increased funding for HIV/AIDS research and prevention, 
and repealed the discriminatory ``Don't Ask, Don't Tell'' policy. With 
President Obama's courageous endorsement last week, we are beginning to 
take small yet certain steps towards the legalization of same-sex 
marriage. Despite these small victories, there are still many more 
battles to fight, individuals to inspire and groups to educate.
  Anna Kronenberg, Harvey's final campaign manager, wrote ``What set 
Harvey apart from you or me was that he was a visionary. He imagined a 
righteous world inside his head and then he set about it to create it 
for real, for all of us.'' Each one of us has an obligation to finish 
the work which Harvey started. This struggle for equality is too 
important to avoid, and too desperately needed to put off any longer. I 
urge my colleagues and every American to join me in my fight for 
equality as we honor and remember Harvey Milk.

                          ____________________