[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 18]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 24082]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 THE EXCELLENT WORK OF THE NATIONAL GAY AND LESBIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BARNEY FRANK

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 17, 2004

  Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, this month marks the second 
anniversary of a very important organization dedicated to fighting 
prejudice in the United States in a very constructive manner. The 
National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, founded in November 2002 
by Justin Nelson and Chance Mitchell is, to quote from the statement 
which the NGLCC submitted to our Financial Services Committee hearing 
on diversity, ``the only national not-for profit advocacy organization 
specifically dedicated to the economic advancements and opportunities 
of the American LGBT business community.''
  The NGLCC carries on this work by its formation of a `` broad-based 
coalition, representative of the various interests of American LGBT 
owned and friendly businesses, professionals, and students of business 
to increase economic opportunities among membership, corporate 
interests and federal, state and local governments.''
  We hear a great deal in our public debate these days about the 
importance of people working together, being constructive, avoiding 
divisiveness etc. This can be overdone--democracy requires the honest 
airing of differences. But it is also important that these differences 
take place within a context of recognition of shared values, and the 
NGLCC plays an extremely important role in this. This organization 
demonstrates that combating prejudice based on sexual orientation and 
gender identity is not only not inconsistent with an effort to work for 
greater unity in our country, but is in fact an essential part of that 
effort, properly understood.
  Justin Nelson and Chance Mitchell through their own commitment to 
advancing our capitalist system, while simultaneously fighting the 
prejudice which deprives some people of the full chance to participate 
in that system, play a very important role. To quote further from the 
statement which they submitted to our Financial Services Committee, 
``It is the unfortunate experience of millions of LGBT Americans that 
homophobia and ignorance has been the silent killer of developing and 
growing LGBT enterprises and a better quality of life for all LGBT 
Americans. Too often it is the experience that LGBT Americans feel 
compelled to remain in the closet to safeguard their personal and 
professional financial condition . . . That millions of LGBT Americans 
live half lives in the financial marketplace, and the workplace is 
simply not in the best interest of a strong, vibrant and competitive 
American economy.
  ``It is a universal truth that as human beings, we are at our best 
when we can represent ourselves as whole and complete individuals, 
encouraged to contribute with vibrant creative energy the many talents 
unique to each of us as individuals. That LGBT Americans are shackled 
by institutionalized discrimination is not only shameful, it is not 
good business.''
  It is not easy to start an organization, and it is particularly 
difficult when the organization being started is one that seeks to 
bridge significant gaps that divide people in our society. There are a 
number of organizations that effectively advocate for the rights of 
LGBT Americans. There are others that are forceful supporters of the 
legitimate interests of the business community. I know no other at the 
national level that exists precisely not simply to show that these two 
goals are not inconsistent, but that, properly understood, they 
reinforce each other.
  I have had the opportunity to work with Mr. Mitchell and Mr. Nelson 
on several occasions, and I am impressed by the quality of their work. 
I make this statement today on the floor to call attention to this 
excellent example of how people can work truly to better our country in 
every way.
  Mr. Speaker, Members seeking more information on this useful 
organization can consult the hearing of the Subcommittee on Oversight 
of the House Financial Services Committee on diversity and financial 
services, which was conducted on July 15, 2004.

                          ____________________