HR0443 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0443 LRB101 12542 ALS 60896 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to commend the LGBTQ Victory Fund on its work to change the face and voice of America's politics and to achieve equality for LGBTQ Americans by increasing the number of openly LGBTQ officials at all levels of government; and

WHEREAS, The LGBTQ Victory Fund, commonly shortened to Victory Fund, was founded in 1991 by LGBTQ activists and donors who recognized the success of EMILY's List at attracting attention and support for women candidates for public office; it is the largest LGBTQ political action committee in the United States and one of the nation's largest non-connected political action committees; and

WHEREAS, In creating the Victory Fund, the founders set out to build a network of supporters who pledged to assist viable LGBTQ candidates endorsed by the organization; with less than 50 openly LGBTQ elected officials across America at any level of government, the founders understood that boosting numbers in public office would be key to advancing equality; and

WHEREAS, On May 1, 1991, the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund was formally created as a non-partisan political action committee; founding board members included David Mixner, Hilary Rosen, Roberta Bennett, Scott Hitt, Lynn Greer, John Thomas, David Detrick, Tim McFeeley, Vic Basile, Howard Menaker, and Terry Bean; and

WHEREAS, Since 1991, the Victory Fund has helped elect thousands of LGBTQ people to positions at all levels of government; these LGBTQ voices have made significant contributions to advancing equality for LGBTQ Americans, from passing non-discrimination laws to defeating amendments to ban marriage equality; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate the LGBTQ Victory Fund on its work to change the face and voice of America's politics and commend its significant contributions to advancing equality for LGBTQ Americans and increasing the number of openly LGBTQ officials at all levels of government; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the LGBTQ Victory Fund as an expression of our esteem and respect.