[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 96 (Monday, June 8, 2026)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E541]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




CELEBRATING AND HONORING DAVID STACY'S SERVICE TO THE LGBTQI+ COMMUNITY

                                  _____
                                 

                            HON. MARK TAKANO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, June 8, 2026

  Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate and honor David 
Stacy's service to the LGBTQI+ community as he marks the end of his 
current chapter as Vice President of Government Affairs at the Human 
Rights Campaign.
  David has been instrumental in the fight for LGBTQI+ equality for 
decades, helping found Fair Wisconsin, Wisconsin's statewide LGBTQI+ 
civil rights organization, and working in this chamber for then-
Representative Tammy Baldwin as a Legislative Assistant for seven 
years. In his role for then-Rep. Baldwin, David worked on a range of 
LGBTQI+ issues, including marriage equality and hate crimes.
  After leaving the Hill, David joined HRC where over the course of two 
decades, he has played a role in every major LGBTQI+ bill to become 
law, including the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes 
Prevention Act, the Don't Ask Don't Tell Repeal Act, and the Respect 
for Marriage Act. He also played a key role in adding sexual 
orientation and gender identity nondiscrimination protections to the 
Violence Against Women Act and has helped lead organizations in 
opposing dozens of anti-LGBTQI+ bills and amendments--including the 
Federal Marriage Amendment--over the last twenty years.
  David was also instrumental in the introduction of the Equality Act 
of 2015 and has continued to lead the coalition of organizations 
advocating for its passage since then. It is my honor to now be the 
lead sponsor of the Equality Act, and I am grateful for David's 
tireless work to build support for this critical and historic 
legislation.
  I have had the privilege of getting to know and work with David since 
coming to Congress in 2013. I have appreciated his knowledge, wisdom, 
and counsel. I know countless staff on the Hill and advocates in the 
LGBTQI+ movement have similarly appreciated his advice and mentorship 
over the years.
  Most of the people who have benefited from David's advocacy will 
never know his name, but I have seen up close the impact he has had and 
how he has helped push equality forward. Our movement for equality is 
better off because of David's decades of service to it.
  I wish David the best of luck on this next chapter.

                          ____________________