[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 17 (Wednesday, February 1, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E118]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          TO HONOR THE IMPERIAL COURT DE FORT WORTH/ARLINGTON

                                  _____
                                 

                          HON. MARC A. VEASEY

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 1, 2017

  Mr. VEASEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Imperial Court de 
Fort Worth/Arlington (ICFWA) in celebration of its 37 years of service 
to the LGBTQ community in the 33rd Congressional District of Texas.
  In 1979, thirty founding members established the Fort Worth/Arlington 
chapter of the International Court System--one of the oldest and 
largest LGBTQ organizations in the world. ICFWA is a social-community 
service organization that sponsors fundraisers for charities in the 
community, advocates on behalf of the LGBTQ community, and provides a 
social support system for members of the LGBTQ community.
  The ICFWA has given to a number of organizations throughout its 
decades of service to Fort Worth and Arlington. ICFWA fundraisers have 
benefitted the Samaritan House, Cancer Care Services, Health Services 
of North Texas, Meals on Wheels, and the Aids Outreach Center. 
Throughout 2015 and 2016, the ICFWA gave over $21,000 to various causes 
and charities.
  The LGBTQ community has experienced discrimination at their places of 
employment and in general society. Due to the work of LGBTQ advocacy 
groups, such as the ICFWA, progress has been made to ensure that 
Americans of any sexual orientation are not treated differently under 
the law, have equal access to healthcare services, and that their 
rights are well protected.
  Members of the ICFWA have fiercely served the LGBTQ community by 
addressing the needs of those suffering from HIV/AIDS. The ICFWA helped 
form the Treehouse Commission, which is still active today, during the 
peak of the HIV/AIDS crisis to foster coordination among organizations 
aiding those affected by HIV/AIDS.
  Several ICFWA members sat on the founding committee of the Samaritan 
House, a home for persons with HIV/AIDS, in 1991. When the local AIDS 
Outreach Center lost grant funding, the ICFWA took on the 
responsibility of funding the food pantry so that clients would not go 
hungry.
  The ICFWA will honor the work of all of its members in March at its 
XXXVIII annual coronation in Fort Worth, Texas as the Court chooses a 
new Emperor and Empress.
  I honor the Imperial Court de Fort Worth and Arlington's ceaseless 
support and fearless advocacy for the LGBTQ community.

                          ____________________