[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 58 (Tuesday, April 21, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E534]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     44TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE GAY AND LESBIAN ACTIVISTS ALLIANCE OF 
                         WASHINGTON, DC (GLAA)

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON

                      of the district of columbia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 21, 2015

  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask the House of 
Representatives to join me in celebrating the 44th anniversary of the 
Gay and Lesbian Activists Alliance of Washington, DC (GLAA), a much-
valued human rights organization that has long been a local leader in 
the struggle for equal rights for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and 
transgender (LGBT) community.
  Since its founding, in April 1971, GLAA has been a respected and 
tireless advocate for full and equal rights for the District of 
Columbia, and has been at the forefront of efforts to strengthen 
enforcement of the landmark D.C. Human Rights Act of 1977. One of 
GLAA's most significant achievements, on which it worked with coalition 
partners, D.C. elected officials, and District residents, was enactment 
of the District of Columbia Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage 
Equality Amendment Act, which permits same-sex couples to marry in the 
District.
  GLAA has also stoutly defended the District's comprehensive human 
rights law; has been an outspoken advocate for LGBT youth and seniors; 
has stood up for the rights of LGBT consumers; has upheld the rights of 
transgender people, including equal treatment by police and access to 
culturally competent healthcare; and has built and nurtured coalitions 
with other constituencies to advance these causes and defend the 
District's autonomy.
  At GLAA's 44th anniversary reception on April 23, 2015, the 
recipients of its 2015 Distinguished Service Awards will be recognized, 
including:
  Alexandra Andrea Beninda serves as a member of the D.C. Commission on 
Human Rights. She is a dedicated transgender advocate and community 
volunteer. She has also served as a board member for Equality Virginia, 
Treasurer of the Virginia Partisans Gay and Lesbian Democratic Club, 
Treasurer of the Gertrude Stein Democratic Club, and a board member for 
the DC Center for the LGBT Community. She has represented the Stein 
Club on the D.C. Democratic State Committee. She is an active member 
and Assistant Treasurer at All Souls Unitarian Church.
  Chuck Hicks is a longtime specialist in Black history and strong 
supporter of HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment. He is founder and chair 
of the DC Black History Celebration Committee, and collaborated with 
the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities in last year's multimedia 
production on Bayard Rustin and James Baldwin, and this year's 
production on Ruby Dee and Ossie Davis. He is founder and chair of 
Bread for the Soul. He has also served on the board of the Whitman-
Walker Clinic. He led creation of a local host committee for the 
dedication of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, and served on the 
D.C. Mayor's Committee on the 50th Anniversary of the 1963 March on 
Washington. He currently serves on the Commission on Aging, D.C. 
Commission on African-American Men and Boys, Commission on African-
American Affairs, and the MLK Holiday Commission.
  Anne Phelps is a former D.C. Council Committee Director for the 
Committee on the Judiciary and Public Safety, serving under then-
chairman Tommy Wells. Before that, she was Committee Director for the 
Committee on Libraries, Parks, Recreation, and Planning, and General 
Counsel for the Committee on Transportation and Public Works. During 
her tenure on the Judiciary and Public Safety Committee, the following 
bills supported by GLAA were passed: the Marriage Officiant Amendment 
Act of 2013; JaParker Deoni Jones Birth Certificate Equality Amendment 
Act of 2013; Marriage License Issuance Amendment Act of 2013; Civil 
Marriage Dissolution Equality Clarification Amendment Act of 2014; 
Repeal of Prostitution Free Zones Amendment Act of 2014; and Human 
Rights Amendment Act of 2014. During her previous committee post, she 
shepherded the Youth Bullying Prevention Act of 2012. She continues to 
work on LGBT issues as Legislative Director for Ward 6 Councilmember 
Charles Allen.
  I ask the House to join me in honoring the recipients of GLAA's 2015 
Distinguished Service Award and celebrating GLAA's 44 years of 
contributions to the LGBT community in the District of Columbia.

                          ____________________