[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 15663]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        A TRIBUTE TO DR. AL BEST

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BOB FILNER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 19, 2003

  Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker and colleagues, I rise to salute Al Best as 
he is being honored at the ``Sixth Annual Community Tribute Banquet'' 
on June 22, 2003. He is being recognized for his tireless activism and 
community service on behalf of San Diego's Gay and Lesbian community.
  Al was born and raised in Colorado, was hired at the age of 18 by 
United Airlines, and in 1960 became United's Regional Convention 
Representative. During this time, he received his BS degree at the 
University of Colorado. In 1963, Al joined Frontier Air Lines as 
Southwest Regional Manager, based in Albuquerque, and two years later, 
he was named to the New Mexico State Aviation Board. He received his 
Masters' Degree from the University of New Mexico and his Ph.D from New 
Mexico State University.
  When Al first arrived in San Diego in 1975, he immediately became 
active in the community by volunteering and raising money for 
outstanding organizations such as The Center and the Metropolitan 
Community Church. He was one of the founders of Stepping Stone, a non-
profit alcohol and drug recovery agency. In 1979, he made history by 
being the first openly gay person to run for the San Diego City 
Council. Even though he was largely outspent and outraised by his 
opponents, he finished 5th out of 11 in the campaign.
  In 1985, Al became the first president of the Harvey Milk Democratic 
Club. In 1989, he was the first openly gay person appointed to San 
Diego's Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. He was also a member 
of Mayor Maureen O'Connor's Violent Crime Task Force. In 1990, he was 
the first openly gay person sworn into the San Diego Civil Service 
Commission and became its first openly gay president in 1992. In 1993, 
he was a co-chair for the Human Rights Campaign milestone March on 
Washington. He currently serves as Vice Chairman of Something Special 
Food Pantry, a volunteer organization that distributes food to men, 
women, children and families who have HIV/AIDS.
  Dr. Al Best has set an outstanding precedent for gay and lesbians in 
San Diego and has paved the way for future generations to come. He is 
truly one of the best in San Diego. I offer my congratulations to him 
on being honored at the ``Sixth Annual Community Tribute Banquet.''

                          ____________________