[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 6]
[Senate]
[Pages 8060-8061]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING FORMATION OF GLASS CAUCUS

  Mr. LAUTENBERG. Mr. President, one of the many strengths of the 
Senate community is our diverse workforce. It is that diversity that 
contributes to a more informed and representative government.
  The promise of our Nation lies in its promise to every one of its 
citizens that they will be judged by the quality of their work, the 
depth of their potential and the strength of their intellect and 
character. Anything less undermines the very principles of fairness we 
uphold and it diminishes not just those who are discriminated against, 
but the professional communities in which they live and work the Senate 
included.
  Recently, several Senate employees announced that they have formed an 
informal, non-partisan group called Gays, Lesbians and Allies Senate 
Staff, GLASS, Caucus. The caucus is open to all Senate staff and is the 
first ever for gay and lesbian Senate staff and their allies. It is 
designed to raise awareness of issues affecting the gay and lesbian 
community and increase visibility; and promote the welfare and dignity 
of gay and lesbian Senate employees by providing a safe environment for 
social interaction and professional development.
  The GLASS caucus held its inaugural reception last night. I was 
honored to attend and congratulate the members on their organization's 
formation. This was an historic moment for the Senate

[[Page 8061]]

and special recognition must be given to four of the founding members 
of the caucus for a job well done: Mat Young, Lynden Armstrong, John 
Fossum and Jeffrey Levensaler.
  Gay and lesbian Americans want the same civil rights that are 
extended to other Americans--nothing more, nothing less. We must build 
a community here in the Senate and across the Nation of mutual respect, 
tolerance, and freedom. This new staff caucus will make many valuable 
contributions in that regard.
  I wish this group well and hope that it will prove to be a valuable 
addition to the Senate community.

                          ____________________