[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 93 (Wednesday, June 6, 2018)]
[House]
[Page H4784]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1215
                        CELEBRATING PRIDE MONTH

  (Ms. KELLY of Illinois asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute.)
  Ms. KELLY of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate Pride 
Month.
  For generations and across industries, LGBTQ Americans have directly 
contributed to America's greatness. Chicagoland is home to many of 
these leaders, like Carol A. Johnson, a union and HIV activist; Kim 
Hunt, a policy expert; the late Vernita Gray, a community activist; 
business leaders like Fred Eychaner and Tracy Baim.
  In the last few years, we have made remarkable progress towards 
equality. On June 26, we will celebrate the fifth anniversary of 
marriage equality for all Americans, yet much work still remains.
  Trans Americans are still too often the victims of violence, 
harassment, and exploitation. Too many struggling with who they are or 
whom they love resort to self-harm and suicide. And, sadly, we have a 
man in the White House who is unwilling to recognize June as Pride 
Month.
  Despite these challenges, LGBTQ Americans and their family, including 
me, stand as united as ever, and we will keep pushing until real, true, 
and lasting equality isn't just encoded in law but encoded in our 
hearts.
  Happy Pride.

                          ____________________