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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

  
 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of 
3Representatives wish to commend the LGBTQ Victory Fund on its 
4work to change the face and voice of America's politics and to 
5achieve equality for LGBTQ Americans by increasing the number 
6of openly LGBTQ officials at all levels of government; and
  
 
7    WHEREAS, The LGBTQ Victory Fund, commonly shortened to 
8Victory Fund, was founded in 1991 by LGBTQ activists and donors 
9who recognized the success of EMILY's List at attracting 
10attention and support for women candidates for public office; 
11it is the largest LGBTQ political action committee in the 
12United States and one of the nation's largest non-connected 
13political action committees; and
  
 
14    WHEREAS, In creating the Victory Fund, the founders set out 
15to build a network of supporters who pledged to assist viable 
16LGBTQ candidates endorsed by the organization; with less than 
1750 openly LGBTQ elected officials across America at any level 
18of government, the founders understood that boosting numbers in 
19public office would be key to advancing equality; and
  
 
20    WHEREAS, On May 1, 1991, the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund was 
21formally created as a non-partisan political action committee; 
22founding board members included David Mixner, Hilary Rosen, 
 
 
HR0443- 2 -LRB101 12542 ALS 60896 r

1Roberta Bennett, Scott Hitt, Lynn Greer, John Thomas, David 
2Detrick, Tim McFeeley, Vic Basile, Howard Menaker, and Terry 
3Bean; and
  
 
  
4    WHEREAS, Since 1991, the Victory Fund has helped elect 
5thousands of LGBTQ people to positions at all levels of 
6government; these LGBTQ voices have made significant 
7contributions to advancing equality for LGBTQ Americans, from 
8passing non-discrimination laws to defeating amendments to ban 
9marriage equality; therefore, be it
  
 
10    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE 
11HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that 
12we congratulate the LGBTQ Victory Fund on its work to change 
13the face and voice of America's politics and commend its 
14significant contributions to advancing equality for LGBTQ 
15Americans and increasing the number of openly LGBTQ officials 
16at all levels of government; and be it further
  
 
17    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
18presented to the LGBTQ Victory Fund as an expression of our 
19esteem and respect.