[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 93 (Tuesday, June 19, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1070]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     HONORING REV. JANE ADAMS SPAHR

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. LYNN C. WOOLSEY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 19, 2012

  Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the leadership of the 
Rev. Jane Adams Spahr, whose work on behalf of justice for the LGBT 
community is an inspiration in Northern California and across the 
country.
  Rev. Spahr began her ministry as a proud progressive and feminist, 
and as one of few willing to work publicly for the cause of equality 
for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people. In 1980, Rev. Spahr 
served as Minister of Pastoral Care for the Metropolitan Community 
Church in San Francisco's Castro District. And in 1982, Rev. Spahr 
founded what would become the Spectrum LGBT Center, Mann County's 
premiere LGBT service provider and advocacy organization.
  In 1991, Rev. Spahr was called to serve as co-pastor of the Downtown 
United Presbyterian Church of Rochester, New York, making her the first 
openly gay person called to such a position of leadership within the 
Presbyterian tradition. Unfortunately, Rev. Spahr's pastorship was 
challenged and ultimately revoked by Church leadership. The Reverend 
was instead invited to serve the Presbyterian congregation in Tiburon, 
California, with a focus on working within the denomination to end 
discrimination and foster inclusiveness and social justice.
  More recently, after the Supreme Court of California struck down the 
State's ban on same-sex marriage, Rev. Spahr became known for 
officiating at the marriages of several gay and lesbian couples. The 
Reverend was again challenged for refusing to comply with the anti-gay 
marriage policies of Church leadership and earlier this year Rev. Spahr 
received a formal censure for her actions. However, as in the past, the 
congregation has rallied behind her, and the local presbytery voted 
overwhelmingly to refuse the censure. Although Rev. Spahr's battle 
continues, I am proud to support her mission to see the dignity and 
humanity of every individual respected.
  In 2007, I honored Rev. Spahr in the Congressional Record upon her 
retirement from Spectrum, emphasizing that her courageous passion for 
justice and inclusion for LGBT people has left a legacy that is paving 
the way to a better future. Clearly, she has advanced the cause of 
same-sex marriage and other rights during this time and will continue 
to be an inspiration and role model to all of us who care about human 
rights.
  Mr. Speaker, I invite you to join me in thanking the Rev. Jane Adams 
Spahr for her many contributions to a stronger and more inclusive 
community, and to the ongoing fight for full LGBT equality. We wish her 
every success, and we look forward to the day--closer now than ever--
when the last vestiges of anti-gay discrimination are erased from our 
laws and from our society.

                          ____________________