[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 8]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 10943]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  THE DEDICATION OF HARVEY MILK STATUE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. NANCY PELOSI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 22, 2008

  Ms. PELOSI. Today, a statue of San Francisco Supervisor Harvey Milk 
will be unveiled at City Hall in San Francisco. It is fitting that on 
the occasion of his 78th birthday, San Franciscans will gather to pay 
tribute to Harvey Milk's life and work at City Hall, where he served 
San Francisco and so tragically lost his life 30 years ago.
  Harvey Milk was the first openly gay man elected to any significant 
political office in our history. This memorial will be the first such 
tribute to an LGBT leader to be placed in a seat of government in the 
United States.
  Harvey Milk was elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 
1977. A year later, in one of the darkest weeks of San Francisco's 
history, Supervisor Milk and our beloved Mayor George Moscone were 
assassinated by Supervisor Dan White.
  Harvey Milk was a San Francisco hero, a champion of human rights and 
symbol to the world for LGBT civil rights. His political career was 
dedicated to shattering the silence of gay America. He firmly believed 
that the only way for gays to break down homophobia was to increase 
their visibility and irrevocably enter the consciousness of our Nation.
  A popular neighborhood merchant and activist, Harvey Milk became a 
great progressive leader who transformed San Francisco political life 
and social culture for all time. He pioneered an open, participatory 
government accessible to all, especially those who had never before 
been engaged. For the first time, neighborhood and ethnic community 
activists and openly gay men and lesbians were appointed to positions 
of power and authority. He was a passionate advocate for seniors, and 
his populist agenda encompassed the needs of all of San Francisco's 
minorities.
  Last week's California Supreme Court decision to strike the ban on 
gay marriage is a testament to Harvey Milk's enduring legacy. It is a 
significant milestone for which all Californians can take pride, and 
one we would not have reached without the courage and dedication of 
Harvey Milk and many LGBT leaders after him.
  Harvey Milk did not live to see the immeasurable and global 
ramifications of his life. He continues to inspire us to strive for a 
society that honors his values of unlimited and equal opportunities for 
all our citizens. His legacy helps bring our country closer to the 
ideal of equality that is both our heritage and our hope.

                          ____________________