Date:         Thu, 20 Feb 1997 14:19:37 -0500
From: VictoryF@aol.com

          News Release

Aegis Group President Mario Castillo Joins
National Victory Fund Board

        WASHINGTON, DC    20 February 1997    The Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund today
announced the election of Aegis Group President A. Mario Castillo to its
National Board of Directors.  "We're honored to welcome this outstanding new
Boardmember," says Victory Fund Executive Director Brian Bond.  "Besides the
unparalleled political know-how he brings to the Board, Mario's extensive
contacts and communications expertise will help the Victory Fund deliver its
winning message to a whole new constituency."
        A. Mario Castillo is the president and founder of the Washington D.C.- based
Aegis Group, Ltd, a highly focused firm that provides a full range of
communications and lobbying services to clients with global interests.
 Before starting Aegis, Castillo served as Chief of Staff for the House
Agriculture Committee for nearly a decade.  In that role, he initiated
Committee legislative proposals and assured their adoption by the U.S.
Congress and approval by the President in concert with the Members of the
Committee.  Castillo's work has earned him many honors, including Angelo
State's Distinguished Alumnus Award and the Ford Foundation's "Washington
Internship in Education."  In 1985, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus
designated Mr. Castillo as one of the top 25 Hispanic leaders in the U.S.
 Among his many community activities, Castillo has served as Commissioner of
the Arts and Humanities for the District of Columbia, and as Chairman of The
Friends Council of The National Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington,
D.C.
        "I know first hand that politics, in addition to being the oldest sport in
the world, has the potential of being the cruelest quest that any good
citizen can undertake," Castillo says.  "What's unique about the Victory Fund
is that it allows openly gay candidates to reach out to the very people who
have imposed their prejudice upon us and    not by threatening, begging, or
demanding, but by example    demonstrate to them that we are indeed good
citizens.  The fair- minded majority knows that hate needs to take a holiday
from politics.  I'm going to make sure that it does by working with the
Victory Fund."
        The Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund is the only national organization committed
to increasing the number of qualified openly gay and lesbian public
officials.  Since its inception in 1991, the Victory Fund has generated
nearly $1.5 million for its recommended candidates.

[Editors:  For photographs or more information, please contact Kathleen
DeBold at (202) 842-8679 or victoryf@aol.com.]